ROME, Jan 1, 2025 (V7N) - A tragic shipwreck off the coast of Italy’s Lampedusa has left 20 migrants missing, including five women and three children, according to reports from the Italian news agency ANSA. Seven individuals, among them an eight-year-old Syrian child, were rescued.

The small boat, which departed from Libya, was carrying migrants from Syria, Sudan, and Egypt. Among the survivors are two Syrian men, two Sudanese migrants, two Egyptians, and the young child, whose mother is among the missing.

Local authorities, including the coast guard and police, have launched a search operation to locate the missing passengers.

A Mayor's Plea
Lampedusa Mayor Filippo Mannino expressed his heartbreak over the incident, emphasizing the dire need to prevent further tragedies.

"They didn’t manage to touch the ground," Mannino said. "I hope so much, I say it every time, but today, coinciding with the end of the year, it’s a very strong hope, that this tragedy will really be the last."

Ongoing Migrant Crisis
This shipwreck is a stark reminder of the perilous journeys undertaken by migrants in search of safety and better opportunities in Europe. The central Mediterranean route, which often leads to Italy, remains one of the deadliest migrant crossings in the world.

As search efforts continue, the incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address the migrant crisis and ensure safe, legal pathways for those fleeing conflict and hardship.

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