The waters of the Ionian Sea between Greece and Southern Italy seem tranquil enough in the middle of June, but they also form part of the most dangerous migration route in the world.

Published 5 months ago, updated 4 months ago

Source:  Sky News

Dangerous Route for Desperate Migrants

The shoreline of southern Italy, with its position in the central Mediterranean, is the primary objective of many who put to sea.

Yet the boats used by migrants are often unseaworthy and the smugglers they pay are untrustworthy – and so it has proven off the coast of Italy’s Calabria region.

Some 120 miles from the port of Roccella Ionica, the Italian Coast Guard caught sight of a simple sailboat, a recreational vessel with a single mast barely peaking above the water.

Sailboat packed with people

It had apparently left Turkey eight days earlier, packed with 76 people, including more than 70 migrants from Iraq, Iran and Syria, but something had gone terribly wrong.

Red Cross officials in southern Italy said only 11 people survived, among them a pregnant woman and two children. It was clear these individuals had suffered greatly at sea.

“Some of the migrants who arrived here have multiple fractures, severe dehydration, severe bruises from what they say,” said Concetta Gioffrè of the regional Italian Red Cross.

“They were in shock, with clear signs of burns. I have no words for those who didn’t reach the port.”

Ro’ya Muheidini, a 19-year-old Iraqi Kurd, said that different smugglers had been involved in the voyage – but all the passengers had been duped.

“The smugglers told us not to bring any food because [the vessel] had everything. After that, we ran out and shared what we had. Nothing was left on the boat, no water, no food, nothing.”

Ms Muheidini told us that the captain had tried to open a box or tube with provisions but there was an explosion which tore a hole in the hull.  The boat capsized and all 76 people – including two dozen children – were thrown into the water.

“We stayed on the water for four days and no one came to help us,” said Ro’ya   “Two or three boats passed by and they got very close. We shouted a lot for help, but they ignored us and passed by. If it was not for a French boat, none of us would be here.”

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Related News:

• Rescuers Find Migrant Boat Sinking (Daily Mail UK)

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Related Links:

• Migration Policy Institute
• Migrants at Sea:  The Dos and Don’ts of Helping those in Distress (Yachting Monthly)
• Other Migrant reports on Noonsite

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