Lampedusa massacre 10 years ago: but migrant landings persist

Last Updated: October 4, 2023

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“Ten years of indifference, during which we lost around 28 thousand people.” As the commemoration for the tenth anniversary of the shipwreck that killed 368 migrants took place in Lampedusa, Tareke Bhrane, president of the October 3 Committee, expressed strong criticism. Meanwhile, boats continued to be rescued both in front of the Pelagie Islands, in southern Sardinia, and off the coast of Roccella Ionica in Calabria. The day of remembrance and mourning began at 3:15 am, the time of the tragic shipwreck, when silence was observed in Piave Square. The names of the victims were read in front of the monument that memorializes them, in the presence of some survivors and the families of the victims. The government representatives were absent, as the organizers pointed out. Giorgia Meloni, however, expressed deep sorrow for the tragic shipwreck and emphasized the need to stop the continuous loss of lives by blocking the departure of boats. The march towards Europa Gate, where flower bouquets were thrown into the sea, was opened with the banner “No more invisible deaths”. Some of the survivors, who return every year, carried the banner and called for “regular entry channels”. Maria Domenica Castellone, Vice President of the Senate (M5s), emphasized the need for a European policy of legal migration to combat irregularity and human trafficking. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi also spoke from Rome about the commitment to fight against traffickers. However, the management of the phenomenon has reached an unprecedented level, requiring stable solutions and strong responsibilities from the international community. To prevent deaths at sea, the departures must be stopped and an alternative must be offered through the creation, as our government is doing, of entry channels that then allow effective integration into our economic fabric. When the wreath of flowers was thrown at the exact point of the tragedy, emotions ran high. The president of the October 3 Committee expressed frustration, stating that despite the promises of national and international authorities, there are still deaths occurring. He emphasized the need to work upstream in the countries of origin and transit. Hundreds of European students also participated in the silent march. Prefect of Agrigento, Filippo Romano, addressed them, stating that the event that occurred ten years ago in Lampedusa was not just an episode but the tip of an iceberg. There are no simple solutions, and ideological recipes do not work. The choices belong to the Parliament, but we must learn to be brothers among ourselves, otherwise we cannot be brothers to those who are different from us. Few Lampedusans were present at the event, as one spectator highlighted that they commemorate every day by welcoming migrants. It is necessary to set aside ideologies and political colors and work towards a shared solution as soon as possible. The true challenge for Italy and Europe should be to ensure that these journeys happen by choice and no longer out of compulsion or obligation. The mayor of Pelagie, Filippo Mannino, reiterated that after 30 years, Lampedusa continues to teach humanity, while institutions continue to do nothing and fail to implement a proper migration policy. Meanwhile, the journeys of hope continue: Tunisians land in Lampedusa, as well as in Villasimius, Sardinia, and Roccella Ionica, with groups of Iraqis, Iranians, and Kurds arriving on two sailboats. Tomorrow, 176 refugees, including 94 minors, rescued in the Sicilian Channel by the Open Arms ship, will arrive at Marina di Carrara port.