NAIROBI, Kenya— At least 10 people have died after a migrant boat carrying dozens of passengers capsized off the coast of Malta, underscoring the continuing dangers faced by those attempting the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea.
Italian authorities said rescue operations remained underway on Sunday after the vessel, which had reportedly departed from Libya, overturned with approximately 60 people on board.
The latest tragedy adds to a growing death toll on one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.
48 survivors rescued after boat overturns
In a statement, the Italian coastguard said the vessel sank about 45 nautical miles east-southeast of Malta.
According to authorities, Malta requested assistance after reports emerged of a migrant boat in distress with several people thrown into the water.
“The vessel, which departed from the Libyan coast, was sailing with approximately 60 people on board,” the coastguard said.
Rescue efforts were aided by a fishing vessel operating nearby, which managed to pull dozens of survivors from the sea.
“According to the latest information, a fishing vessel in the area has recovered approximately 48 people alive,” the statement added.
Italian rescue teams later joined the operation as the search expanded across the area.
Italian coastguard recovers 10 bodies
The Italian coastguard confirmed that one of its patrol boats recovered 10 bodies from the scene.
The agency said rescue and recovery efforts were continuing as authorities worked to determine whether additional people remained missing.
The exact circumstances that caused the vessel to capsize were not immediately clear.
Migrants attempting the crossing often travel aboard overcrowded and poorly maintained boats, making them highly vulnerable to rough seas and mechanical failures.
Mediterranean remains one of the world’s deadliest migration routes
The incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Central Mediterranean, a route frequently used by migrants and asylum seekers travelling from North Africa toward Europe.
The crossing between Libya, Tunisia and southern Europe remains among the most dangerous migration corridors globally.
According to the International Organization for Migration, at least 827 people have died attempting the Central Mediterranean crossing so far this year.
The agency recorded more than 1,330 deaths along the route in 2025.
Many migrants fleeing conflict, poverty and instability continue to risk the journey despite repeated warnings from humanitarian organisations and European authorities.
As rescue operations continue off Malta’s coast, the latest shipwreck serves as another stark reminder of the human cost of migration across the Mediterranean and the challenges facing governments and aid agencies seeking solutions to the crisis.
