An Iraqi survivor of a tragic migrant shipwreck has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a 16-year-old Iraqi girl aboard the sinking vessel.
Italian authorities reported that the man allegedly strangled the girl in front of her mother as the boat foundered.
The sailing boat, which originated from Turkey, was carrying around 70 people, mostly Kurdish migrants from Iraq and Iran, along with Afghan families. It wrecked approximately 120 nautical miles off Italy’s southern coast. Twelve people were rescued, but the death toll has risen to 36.
The UN's International Organization for Migration highlights the Central Mediterranean route as the world's deadliest, with over 1,000 migrant deaths reported this year alone. The incident underscores the perilous journeys undertaken by migrants from the Middle East and Africa, with Italy often being the first landing point.
Meanwhile, Greece faces criticism over its handling of migrant arrivals. A BBC report accused the Greek coast guard of using brutal methods to prevent migrants from reaching Greek shores, allegedly resulting in dozens of deaths. The Greek government has denied these allegations, with spokesman Pavlos Marinakis stating there is no evidence to support the claims.
The controversial 2016 EU-Turkey deal aimed to curb migrant crossings in exchange for financial aid to Turkey. However, in 2020, Turkey ceased accepting returns from Greece, complicating the migration crisis. UN agencies continue to urge EU governments to enhance Mediterranean search and rescue efforts and establish legal migration channels to prevent further loss of life at sea.
Read more: Migrant crisis
(Source: Daily Mail UK)
