Shipwreck of children off the coast of Lampedusa, tragedy without guilty parties: appeal confirms prescription

Last Updated: June 26, 2024

The Rome Court of Appeals confirmed the statute of limitations for the charges against two officers accused in the trial for the “children’s shipwreck”, the tragic event of October 11, 2013 when a refugee boat fleeing war sank in Maltese waters, not far from Lampedusa. 268 Syrian citizens died, including 60 minors. The trial involved the then head of the Coast Guard operations room, Leopoldo Manna, and the then commander of the Naval Squadron operations room, Luca Licciardi. They were accused of manslaughter and dereliction of duty. The General Prosecutor had requested the acquittal of the two defendants.