Overcrowded migrant boat in Mediterranean results in the tragic deaths of three Sudanese sisters
In a heart-wrenching incident that occurred on the night of Friday to Saturday, three young Sudanese sisters perished in the Mediterranean Sea while attempting to cross to Italy. The sisters, aged 9, 11, and 17, were among the many refugees seeking safety and a better life, hailing from Sudan, Mali, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, and Eritrea.
The tragic event unfolded in international waters north off Libya. The overcrowded green rubber dinghy, which had departed from Zuwara in western Libya earlier on the same day, was taking on water for hours due to bad weather conditions during the journey. The rescue mission was made even more challenging by the pitch-dark night and 1.5-meter (4.9 feet) waves.
Volunteers with the German non-profit organization RESQSHIP bravely navigated the treacherous waters to rescue around 65 people from the same boat. However, upon reaching the boat, they discovered the heartbreaking fate of the three sisters. The medical team on board attempted resuscitation, but it was too late; the sisters had been underwater for an extended period.
The survivors, including the mother and brother of the deceased sisters, were transferred to an Italian coast guard vessel alongside their family members. The mother remained in shock and sat next to the remains of her daughters aboard the rescue ship, according to Satore. Relatives of the deceased sisters requested white sheets to wrap the bodies.
The organization that saved the three young sisters is the same one that has been working tirelessly to rescue refugees in the Mediterranean, RESQSHIP. Their efforts, however, are not without controversy. Forcing people who seek protection back to a country where they face torture and abuse is violating international law, according to the SOS Humanity NGO. The NGO has also accused the so-called Libyan Coast Guard and associated actors of serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity in Libya.
Meanwhile, a different Mediterranean rescue group saved more than 50 people from one migrant boat but failed to reach a second boat in distress after it had been intercepted by Libyan coast guards.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the perilous journey many refugees face in their quest for a better life. It also highlights the urgent need for international cooperation to ensure the safety and protection of those who risk their lives to cross the Mediterranean Sea.
