The Community of Sant’Egidio calls for renewed commitment to rescue operations and safe migration routes following yet another migrant tragedy in the Mediterranean.
By Linda Bordoni The Rome-based Community of Sant’Egidio has expressed deep sorrow following the latest migrant shipwreck in the Mediterranean, and reiterated its call for improved and more humane policy regarding rescue operations and safe passage for vulnerable people. Its appeal comes as more than 70 people are reported to have lost their lives when their vessel capsized off the Libyan coast on Easter Saturday. The tragedy, which occurred on the night of Easter, became known only after several survivors were rescued. They said the boat had set off from Jajoura in Libya with some 105 people on board. Only 32 people are confirmed to have survived. The shipwreck follows in the wake of another such tragedy last week, in which 19 Afghan migrants, including a baby, died in the Aegean Sea off Bodrum, Turkey. According to the United Nations’ migration agency IOM, at least 683 migrants have lost their lives or gone missing since the start of 2026. Sant’Egidio’s appeal In a statement, the Sant’Egidio Community extended its condolences to the families of the victims, recalling that this latest tragedy adds to a series of recent shipwrecks in the Sicily Channel and the Aegean Sea. It warned against growing indifference, noting that such events risk being reduced to mere statistics. Sant’Egidio also renewed its appeal to national and European institutions to strengthen search-and-rescue efforts in the Mediterranean. “A greater commitment is needed to save the lives of those in danger at sea,” it said. At the same time, Sant’Egidio reiterated the importance of expanding regular humanitarian corridors for migrants that guarantee safe and legal passage and provide for integration processes, including school enrolment for children, language classes and job opportunities. It also highlighted the need for structured responses for those fleeing conflict, emphasising initiatives that promote integration. The humanitarian corridors project Sant’Egidio has promoted in the past decade, together with partner organisations, has so far enabled more than 8,500 vulnerable people to reach Europe safely.