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Ships Near Italy Rescue 32 Migrants, 71 Lost at Sea, Charities Say
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 5, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 5, 2026
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Quick Summary
Two merchant ships off Italy’s coast rescued 32 migrants and recovered 2 bodies; survivors reported 71 people were lost at sea. They were transferred to the coast guard and brought to Lampedusa, amid worsening Mediterranean weather and a deadly migrant crisis.
Ships Near Italy Rescue 32 Migrants, 71 Reported Lost at Sea over Easter Weekend
Migrant Rescue Operations and Tragedy off the Italian Coast
Details of the Rescue and Loss
ROME, April 5 (Reuters) - Two merchant vessels near the Italian coast recovered the bodies of two migrants and rescued 32 survivors from a boat trying to cross to Europe from Libya on Easter weekend, rescue charities said, citing the survivors as saying 71 others were lost at sea.
The victims were transferred to an Italian coast guard patrol boat and brought to the Italian island of Lampedusa, said the groups Mediterranea Saving Humans and Sea-Watch.
Official Responses
Italy's interior ministry said it had no comment on the report. The Italian Coast Guard did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sunday is Easter, a major holiday in Italy.
Survivor Accounts
Survivors said their ship had originally included 105 passengers, with 71 lost at sea, said the rescue charities.
Video released from Sea-Watch showed about a dozen people clinging to a capsized orange boat as it was approached by the merchant vessel.
Context: Mediterranean Migration Risks
Weather Challenges
Bad weather has roiled the Mediterranean this year, limiting the number of departures from North Africa and posing grave problems for those who have managed to put to sea.
Migration Death Toll
IOM Estimates
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that at least 683 have died in the central Mediterranean this year, one of the highest tolls since 2014.
(Reporting by Matteo Negri and Joshua McElwee, Editing by William Maclean)
Key Takeaways
- •A boat carrying 105 migrants capsized near Italy over Easter weekend; only 32 were rescued and two bodies recovered, with 71 feared dead.
- •Survivors were taken to Lampedusa by the Italian Coast Guard, per Mediterranea Saving Humans and Sea‑Watch.
- •2026 has seen one of the deadliest Mediterranean crossings on record: IOM reports at least 606 deaths by February 23, and 484 dead or missing after a February capsizing off Libya, with Cyclone Harry in January substantially worsening conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ships near Italy rescue 32 migrants, 71 lost at sea, charities say
1How many migrants were rescued near the Italian coast?
32 migrants were rescued by merchant vessels near the Italian coast.
2How many migrants are reported lost at sea in this incident?
Rescue charities say that 71 migrants are reported lost at sea.
3Where were the survivors taken after the rescue?
The survivors were transferred to an Italian coast guard boat and brought to Lampedusa.
4Which groups reported the migrant rescue and losses?
Mediterranea Saving Humans and Sea-Watch, two rescue charities, reported the incident.
5What is the estimated number of migrant deaths in the central Mediterranean this year?
The International Organization for Migration estimates at least 683 deaths in the central Mediterranean in 2024.
