11-Year-Old Migrant Rescued in Mediterranean After Days at Sea

The rescue highlights the ongoing migrant crisis and the perilous journeys undertaken by many seeking refuge in Europe, amid stricter policies and increasing fatalities.

An 11-year-old girl has been rescued from the Mediterranean Sea after clinging to inner tubes for three harrowing days. The young migrant, who remains unnamed, is originally from Sierra Leone. She attempted the perilous journey alongside 44 others from Sfax, Tunisia, when their boat capsized in treacherous storm conditions. Rescuers from the non-governmental organization Compass Collective discovered her calls for help while on their way to attend another emergency situation.

According to reports from the Compass Collective, the girl was found wearing a simple life jacket and two inner tubes around her waist early Wednesday morning. She recounted the tragic incident when the metal boat sank within seconds due to powerful storms, with waves measuring up to 3.5 meters (11.5 feet). Although she had initially been in the water with two others, she later lost contact with them.

Upon rescue, the crew onboard the Trotamar III vessel provided her with blankets and a water bottle to help stabilize her condition. The girl was subsequently handed over to Italian authorities at Lampedusa, where reports indicated she was able to walk and communicate effectively.

Recent data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicates that since the organization started tracking figures a decade ago, an alarming total of 30,955 migrants have either died or are missing while attempting to cross the Mediterranean. Italy has seen a significant influx of migrants this year, with over 63,000 arrivals documented, largely attributed to ongoing conflicts and crises in their home countries.

However, the number of crossings has decreased as a result of the right-wing government's stringent policies under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which have led to heightened enforcement against illegal migration and measures to deter boats from embarking on such dangerous journeys. The situation continues to prompt extensive comparisons between the humanitarian needs of migrants and the political responses of EU member states, revealing the complexity surrounding Europe's growing migration crisis.