View source for 2023 Calabria migrant boat disaster

{{Short description|Sinking of overloaded boat in Italy}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox event
| title = 
| image = 
| image_size = 
| alt = 
| caption = 
| map = {{infobox mapframe |coord={{coord|38.93|16.901944}}|length_mi=0.5}}
| date = {{end date and age|2023|02|26|df=y}}
| time = 
| duration = 
| place = [[Ionian Sea]], off the coast of [[Calabria]], [[Italy]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|38|55|48|N|16|54|07|E|display=it}}
| type = [[Maritime disaster]]
| cause = Weather conditions, government inaction (alleged)
| participants = 143–200 migrants
| outcome = 
<!--| casualties1=--> 81 survivors
| reported deaths = 94
}}
On 26 February 2023, a boat carrying migrants sank amidst harsh weather conditions while trying to land on the coast of Steccato di [[Cutro]], a seaside resort village near the town of [[Crotone]] in the region of [[Calabria]] in [[Southern Italy]]. The boat was carrying about 200 migrants when it sank, of whom at least 94 died,<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Italy migrant boat disaster: Were 94 people left to die at sea? |url=https://news.sky.com/story/italy-migrant-boat-disaster-were-94-people-left-to-die-at-sea-12894292 |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> including at least 35 children.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=2 June 2023 |title=The Crotone Cover Up |url=https://www.lighthousereports.com/investigation/the-crotone-cover-up/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Lighthouse Reports |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wallis |first=Emma |date=2023-03-16 |title=Death toll rises following Italian shipwreck, as criticism mounts |url=https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/47554/death-toll-rises-following-italian-shipwreck-as-criticism-mounts |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=InfoMigrants |language=en}}</ref> Eighty-one people survived.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Gianni |last2=Daniele |last3=Armellini |first3=Alvise |date=2023-02-27 |title=Migrant shipwreck in Italy kills at least 59, including 12 children |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/27-dead-southern-italy-after-suspected-migrant-shipwreck-reports-2023-02-26/ |access-date=2023-06-02}}</ref>

The shipwreck was one of Italy's worst migrant boat disasters. It led to a public outcry, and following an investigation conducted by journalists, both the Italian government and the [[European Union]] (EU) border agency [[Frontex]] were accused of lying about their roles in the accident.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" />

== Background ==
{{Main|2015 European migrant crisis}}
According to the [[International Organization for Migration]], over 20,000 people have died or gone missing on the Central Mediterranean route between North Africa and Italy since 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Migratory Routes |url=https://frontex.europa.eu/we-know/migratory-routes/central-mediterranean-route/ |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=frontex.europa.eu}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last1=Slow |first1=Oliver |last2=Armstrong |first2=Kathryn |date=2023-02-26 |title=Italy shipwreck: Dozens of migrants killed off Calabria coast |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64776621 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226104628/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64776621 |archive-date=2023-02-26}}</ref> According to the EU migration and asylum policy, migrants travelling from Turkey to Italy are also considered to be using the Central Mediterranean route.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/eu-migration-policy/central-mediterranean-route/ |title=Migration flows on the Central Mediterranean route |work=Consilium.europa.eu |access-date=2023-03-07}}</ref> The Central Mediterranean route has been one of the most active despite the dangers it poses, making [[Italy]] one of the most common landing countries,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2023 |editor-last=Sabarwal |editor-first=Harshit |title=Italy: 43 dead after migrant boat sinks off coastal city of Crotone |url=https://www.wionews.com/world/italy-over-30-dead-after-migrant-boat-sinks-off-coastal-city-of-crotone-566077 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226153931/https://www.wionews.com/world/italy-over-30-dead-after-migrant-boat-sinks-off-coastal-city-of-crotone-566077 |archive-date=2023-02-26 |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=WIONews}}</ref> although many continue on to northern European countries.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2023-02-26 |title=More than 40 migrants die after boat sinks near southern Italy |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20230226-more-than-40-migrants-die-after-boat-sinks-near-southern-italy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226153952/https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20230226-more-than-40-migrants-die-after-boat-sinks-near-southern-italy |archive-date=2023-02-26 |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=[[France24]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Incident ==
A Frontex aircraft, monitoring the area as part of [[Operation Themis]] to support Italy with border control, surveillance, and search and rescue in the central Mediterranean, intercepted a ship on the evening of 25 February 2023. Frontex saw only one person on board according to the camera; other elements, such as the [[thermal camera]] recording, indicated the possibility of the presence of a large number of people. A report was immediately communicated to Italian authorities. Two patrol boats of ''[[Guardia di Finanza]]'' tried to intercept the ship but returned to port due to adverse weather and sea conditions, which was 4 out of 7 on the [[Douglas sea scale]], meaning waves rose up to {{convert|2.50|m}}.<ref name="Frontex">{{cite news |last1=Vasques |first1=Eleonora |title=Frontex aveva avvertito l'Italia di un possibile "gran numero di persone" prima del naufragio |trans-title=Frontex had warned Italy of a possible "large number of people" ahead of the shipwreck |url=https://euractiv.it/section/migrazioni/news/frontex-aveva-avvertito-litalia-di-un-possibile-gran-numero-di-persone-prima-del-naufragio/ |access-date=6 March 2023 |agency=Euractive |publisher=Corriere della Sera |date=1 March 2023 |language=it}}</ref>

On 26 February 2023, the ''Summer Love'',<ref>{{cite web |last1=Giuffrida |first1=Angela |title=Relatives of shipwreck victims travel to Italy to pay their respects |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/01/relatives-italy-shipwreck-victims-travel-calabria-pay-respects-death-toll |website=The Guardian |access-date=6 February 2024 |date=1 March 2023}}</ref> a boat that had set sail from [[İzmir]], [[Turkey]], a few days earlier, sank off the southern coast of [[Crotone]] in the [[Italian region]] of [[Calabria]].<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-02-26 |title=43 migrants dead in southern Italy after their boat sinks |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/at-least-30-migrants-dead-in-southern-italy-after-their-boat-sinks |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226153937/https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/at-least-30-migrants-dead-in-southern-italy-after-their-boat-sinks |archive-date=2023-02-26 |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=[[The Straits Times]] |language=en}}</ref> According to the Italian news agency [[Adnkronos]], more than 100 people were aboard the boat when it sank, and they were from [[Iran]], [[Pakistan]], and [[Afghanistan]].<ref name=":3" /> Other local agencies mentioned that there were migrants from [[Iraq]], [[Syria]], and [[Somalia]] as well.<ref name=":1" /> The [[Anadolu Agency]] said that the boat carried "some 200 people",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zampano |first=Giada |date=February 26, 2023 |title=At least 43 dead, dozens missing after Italy migrant shipwreck |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/at-least-43-dead-dozens-missing-after-italy-migrant-shipwreck/2831528 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226153949/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/at-least-43-dead-dozens-missing-after-italy-migrant-shipwreck/2831528 |archive-date=2023-02-26 |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=[[Anadolu Agency]]}}</ref> while survivors stated that the number was between 150 and 240.<ref name=":5" /> 

The boat sank while attempting to land after it crashed into rocks in rough weather conditions. Video footage of the incident shows timber from the boat broken into pieces and floating along the beach. Parts of the boat's [[Hull (watercraft)|hull]] were also seen washing up along the seashore.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> An official said that wreckage was strewn along {{convert|300|m}} of beach.<ref name=":6" /> Motorboats, vessels, and a helicopter were deployed to help with rescue efforts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 26, 2023 |title=Dozens of migrants have been killed in a shipwreck off the coast of Italy |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/02/26/1159582896/dozens-of-migrants-have-been-killed-in-a-shipwreck-off-the-coast-of-italy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226121513/https://www.npr.org/2023/02/26/1159582896/dozens-of-migrants-have-been-killed-in-a-shipwreck-off-the-coast-of-italy |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |access-date=February 26, 2023 |website=[[NPR]]}}</ref> Firefighters on jet skis were also deployed; operations were complicated due to harsh weather conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-26 |title=Migrant shipwreck in Italy kills 43, 80 survivors reported |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1739242 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226154001/https://www.dawn.com/news/1739242 |archive-date=2023-02-26 |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |language=en}}</ref> According to the [[Italian Coast Guard]], 80 people were found alive.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ghiglione |first1=Davide |last2=Fouché |first2=Alexandra |title=Italy migrant boat shipwreck: More than 100 people feared dead |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64784208 |access-date=1 March 2023 |work=BBC News |date=27 February 2023}}</ref>

== Victims ==
As of 13 March 2023, it was reported that at least 79 people were killed in the sinking, including 16 children, one of whom was a baby less than one year old.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Amante |first=Angelo |date=2023-03-01 |title=Relatives pay respects as toll from Italy migrant boat wreck rises to 67 |url=https://theprint.in/world/relatives-pay-respects-as-toll-from-italy-migrant-boat-wreck-rises-to-67/1409299/ |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> Eighty-one people have been rescued.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Armellini |first=Alvise |date=2023-02-26 |title=Migrant shipwreck in southern Italy kills 58, including children |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/27-dead-southern-italy-after-suspected-migrant-shipwreck-reports-2023-02-26/ |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226153932/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/27-dead-southern-italy-after-suspected-migrant-shipwreck-reports-2023-02-26/ |archive-date=2023-02-26}}</ref> The Pakistani Embassy in Rome revealed that the bodies of 28 Pakistanis had been recovered.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2023 |title=At least 59 including 28 Pakistanis die after ship carrying migrants overturns off Italy's coast |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/at-least-59-including-28-pakistanis-die-after-ship-carrying-migrants-overturns-off-italys-coast |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227080547/https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/at-least-59-including-28-pakistanis-die-after-ship-carrying-migrants-overturns-off-italys-coast |archive-date=2023-02-27 |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=[[The Free Press Journal]] |language=en}}</ref> Among the victims is [[Shahida Raza]], a former Pakistani field hockey player.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Caroline |title=The Pakistani hockey player who died in Italy shipwreck |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64822934 |access-date=6 March 2023 |work=BBC News |date=2 March 2023}}</ref> 54 of the survivors have been identified as Afghans, 3 were Pakistanis, a Syrian, a Tunisian, and a Palestinian.{{cn|date=March 2023}}
== Investigations ==
One of the survivors was arrested on [[migrant trafficking]] charges.<ref name=":5" /> On 28 February 2023, Italian police arrested a Turkish man and two Pakistani nationals on grounds of people-smuggling.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fouché |first1=Alexandra |title=Italy migrant boat shipwreck: Police arrest three for alleged smuggling |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64797216 |access-date=1 March 2023 |work=BBC News |date=28 February 2023}}</ref>

Citing dissatisfaction with the official version of events, journalists from [[Sky News]], Lighthouse Reports, ''[[Le Monde]]'', ''[[El País]]'', ''[[Domani (newspaper)|Domani]]'', and ''[[Süddeutsche Zeitung]]'' sought to investigate why a rescue mission was not launched sooner than it was. A leaked confidential Frontex mission report obtained during the investigation revealed that a plane operated by the agency late on 25 February had spotted the boat and reported signs of distress back to the agency, as well as to the Italian authorities. Approximately an hour later, two ''Guardia di Finanza'' boats were launched to investigate the vessel; both were forced to turn back due to the bad weather, and this was communicated to the Italian Coast Guard. Despite having boats capable of operating in such conditions, a rescue operation was not attempted for approximately another four hours, or almost six hours after the boat had been first spotted. The investigation also revealed that the Frontex plane that spotted the boat had reported earlier that day that it would potentially not be possible to complete the planned flight path "due to strong winds". Following the accident, a press release attributed the plane's difficulties to a lack of fuel and made no mention of strong winds.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" />

As of June 2023, a legal investigation into whether there were delays in the Italian authorities' response is underway in Italy. Furthermore, lawyers representing some of the families of those involved in the shipwreck are expected to present a case to the [[European Court of Human Rights]] by the end of June, arguing that Italy should be held responsible for the "irremediable violation of migrants' right to life".<ref name=":7" />

== Reactions ==
=== Domestic ===
[[File:Sergio Mattarella Crotone 2023.jpg|thumb|right|220px|President [[Sergio Mattarella]] paying respects to the victims]]
Prime minister [[Giorgia Meloni]] expressed her "deep sorrow for the many human lives torn away by human traffickers", and condemned what she described as the exchange of migrants' lives for "the 'price' of a ticket paid by them in the false prospect for a safe voyage". She urged European lawmakers for change and action against migration laws to ensure these terrible events do not happen again.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=D'Emilio |first=Frances |date=2023-02-26 |title=Migrant boat breaks apart off Italy; 43 dead, 80 survivors |url=https://apnews.com/article/italy-business-789562253af9aca2c201207c877c5b5f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226141304/https://apnews.com/article/italy-business-789562253af9aca2c201207c877c5b5f |archive-date=2023-02-26 |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=[[AP News]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Latza Nadeau |first=Barbie |date=2023-02-26 |title=Children and women among 43 dead as migrant boat hits rocks near Italy |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/26/europe/migrant-shipwreck-deaths-italy-calabria-intl/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226154122/https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/26/europe/migrant-shipwreck-deaths-italy-calabria-intl/index.html |archive-date=2023-02-26 |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=[[CNN]] |language=en}}</ref>

Interior minister [[Matteo Piantedosi]] stressed the importance of stopping sea crossings that offer migrants what he called the "illusory mirage of a better life" in Europe.<ref name=":5" /> Antonio Ceraso, the mayor of [[Cutro]], said that he saw "a spectacle that you would never want to see in your life ... stays with you for all your life."<ref name=":6" /> On 2 March, president [[Sergio Mattarella]] went to Crotone to pay respects to the bodies of the victims, being the first and only officeholder to do so.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lastampa.it/cronaca/2023/03/03/news/crotone_lomaggio_di_mattarella_i_cittadini_giustizia_e_verita_per_le_vittime_del_mare-12672867/ |title=Crotone, l'omaggio di Mattarella. I cittadini: "Giustizia e verità per le vittime del mare" |trans-title=Crotone, Mattarella's homage. Citizens: "Justice and truth for the victims of the sea" |work=La Stampa |date=3 March 2023 |access-date=7 March 2023}}</ref>

On 9 March, the [[Meloni government]] had an official meeting in Cutro,<ref>{{cite news |title=Meloni cabinet to meet at shipwreck site in Cutro - English |url=https://www.ansa.it/english/news/politics/2023/03/09/meloni-cabinet-to-meet-at-shipwreck-site-in-cutro_a9470165-85c3-4cff-990b-2ebcf2b6eaa9.html |access-date=10 March 2023 |work=ANSA |date=9 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref> in which the cabinet approved a decree introducing tougher penalties for migrant smugglers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Italy toughens penalties for migrant smugglers after deadly shipwreck |url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-03-09/italy-toughens-penalties-for-migrant-smugglers-after-deadly-shipwreck.html |access-date=10 March 2023 |work=EL PAÍS English |date=9 March 2023 |language=en-us}}</ref>

=== International ===
[[Pope Francis]] said that he was "praying for everyone caught up in the shipwreck" in his Sunday address at [[St. Peter's Square]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=February 26, 2023 |title=Migrant shipwreck in southern Italy kills 43, 80 survivors reported |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/europe/migrant-shipwreck-in-southern-italy-kills-43-80-survivors-reported-1.1677399966449 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226154009/https://gulfnews.com/world/europe/migrant-shipwreck-in-southern-italy-kills-45-80-survivors-reported-1.1677399966449 |archive-date=2023-02-26 |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=[[Gulf News]] |language=en}}</ref>

[[Shehbaz Sharif]], the Pakistani prime minister, stated that more than two dozen Pakistani nationals were on the boat when it sank. Sharif said that the reports were "concerning and worrisome".<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=February 27, 2023 |title=28 Pakistanis drown in Italy boat wreck; PM Sharif calls incident 'deeply concerning, worrisome' |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/asia/28-pakistanis-drown-in-italy-boat-wreck-pm-sharif-calls-incident-deeply-concerning-worrisome |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227083707/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/asia/28-pakistanis-drown-in-italy-boat-wreck-pm-sharif-calls-incident-deeply-concerning-worrisome |archive-date=2023-02-27 |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=[[Khaleej Times]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ghiglione |first1=Davide |last2=Fouché |first2=Alexandra |date=2023-02-27 |title=Italy migrant boat shipwreck: More than 100 people feared dead |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64784208 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227103936/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64784208 |archive-date=2023-02-27}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of migrant vessel incidents on the Mediterranean Sea]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{2023 shipwrecks}}
{{Portal bar|Crime|Italy|Turkey}}

[[Category:2023 disasters in Italy|Calabria migrant boat disaster, 2023]]
[[Category:2023 in international relations|Calabria migrant boat disaster, 2023]]
[[Category:21st century in Calabria]]
[[Category:Disasters in Calabria]]
[[Category:February 2023 events in Italy|Calabria migrant boat disaster, 2023]]
[[Category:Illegal immigration to Italy]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 2023|Calabria migrant boat disaster, 2023]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in Italy]]
[[Category:Migrant boat disasters in the Mediterranean Sea]]
[[Category:Province of Crotone]]