File picture. [AP]
UNICEF’s Particular Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Response in Europe, Regina De Dominicis, revealed in a press release on Wednesday that over 2,200 lives had been misplaced within the Mediterranean in 2024.
“The loss of life toll and variety of lacking individuals within the Mediterranean in 2024 have now surpassed 2,200, with practically 1,700 lives misplaced on the central Mediterranean route alone,” she said, highlighting that a good portion of the victims had been kids.
“This consists of a whole bunch of youngsters, who make up one in 5 of all individuals migrating by way of the Mediterranean. The bulk are fleeing violent battle and poverty,” De Dominicis emphasised.
De Dominicis’ assertion got here the sinking of a migrant boat touring from Libya off the coast of Lampedusa simply hours earlier than the New Yr, on Tuesday, leaving greater than 20 individuals lacking.
“This tragedy comes solely weeks after one other lethal incident off the island left an 11-year-old woman as the only real survivor,” she said.