VALLETTA — A migrant boat capsized in the central Mediterranean Sea off Malta, leaving at least 11 people dead, authorities and rescue groups said on Monday.
The vessel, which had departed from Libya carrying about 60 people, overturned on Sunday about 45 nautical miles (83 km) east-southeast of Malta, the Italian coastguard said. A Turkish fishing vessel rescued around 48 survivors, while Italian and Maltese authorities recovered bodies from the area.
Sea-Watch, a German humanitarian organisation, reported the death toll at least 11 and said 48 people were rescued by the fishing vessel Tuncay Sagun 2. The Italian coastguard dispatched a patrol boat that initially recovered 10 bodies, with searches continuing.
Malta’s Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield described the incident as a preventable tragedy and called for stronger European cooperation to combat people smugglers.
Rescue groups criticised what they said were delayed responses to distress calls in the region. The central Mediterranean route remains one of the world’s most dangerous migration paths.
The incident is the latest in a series of deadly crossings this year. Aid groups have reported hundreds of deaths on the route in 2026, though exact figures vary by source. Details on the nationalities of those on board and the precise circumstances of the capsizing remain unclear.
Migrants attempting the journey from Libya often face overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels operated by smuggling networks. Libya has been a major departure point for people seeking to reach Europe since the 2011 conflict there.
Italian and Maltese authorities have increased patrols in the area, but rescue operations frequently face challenges due to the vast expanse of sea and weather conditions. The rescued survivors were transferred to appropriate authorities for medical care and processing.
The European Union has long grappled with managing irregular migration across the Mediterranean, with member states implementing varying policies on rescue operations and asylum processing. Malta, as one of the frontline states, has repeatedly called for greater burden-sharing within the bloc.
Search efforts for any additional missing persons were ongoing as of Monday, officials said. No further details on potential additional casualties were immediately available.
The tragedy underscores the persistent risks faced by migrants and refugees attempting dangerous sea crossings in search of safety and better opportunities in Europe.
