Meloni denies government failings led to deadly migrant shipwreck

More than 70 people, including children, are confirmed to have drowned in a migrant shipwreck off the coast of Italy. Questions have mounted about why Italian authorities failed to intercept the boat. Pope Francis has called for an end to human trafficking in the Mediterranean.

March 6, 2023 . 2:49 AM

1 min read

More than 70 people, including children, are confirmed to have drowned in a migrant shipwreck off the coast of Italy after sailing from Turkey.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has defended her government's actions in the hours before the tragedy, but questions have mounted about why Italian authorities failed to intercept the boat.
Frontex, the European border agency, alerted Italian authorities to the boat's presence in waters that the country is responsible for carrying out search-and-rescue operations in.
The tragedy has sparked renewed criticism of the far-right government's policy of deterring illegal migrants.
Pope Francis has called for an end to human trafficking in the Mediterranean.