Migrants and refugees were rescued in the Mediterranean after drifting in an overcrowded wooden boat (file photo). Geneva — Over 180 people are feared dead, or missing, in the latest Mediterranean shipwrecks in crossings from North Africa, with total deaths in 2026 now nearing 1,000, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) says. - 32 rescuedA merchant vessel and a tugboat rescued 32 survivors, who were later brought to Lampedusa by the Italian Coast Guard. Earlier, on April 1, 19 people were found dead aboard a vessel off southern Italy near Lampedusa. Survivors said the boat had left Zuara, Libya, overnight between March 28 and 29.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 08, 2026 12:18 UTC