ROME — The Italian coast guard found 19 people dead and rescued 58 others after intercepting a dinghy filled with migrants that was in distress about 80 nautical miles from the southern Italian island of Lampedusa on Tuesday night. The Italian coast guard operated in the Libyan search and rescue zone amid rough weather conditions, a spokesperson said on Wednesday. Sea conditions were pretty extreme, with waves of more than 6-7 meters (20-23 feet)," said coast guard spokesperson Roberto D'Arrigo. The survivors were brought to Lampedusa after a 10-hour trip and are now in the care of local health services, the coast guard said. The tiny island of Lampedusa is the main entry point to Europe for migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa, with thousands dying during the perilous journey.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 02, 2026 08:26 UTC