An 11-year-old girl was found clinging to innertubes after surviving three harrowing days at sea in stormy Mediterranean waters. Rescuers from the Compass Collective discovered her calls for help while en route to another emergency. The girl had been part of a group of 45 migrants whose vessel sank in treacherous seas, resulting in a tragic loss of life.
Eleven-Year-Old Girl Rescued After Days Adrift in Mediterranean
Eleven-Year-Old Girl Rescued After Days Adrift in Mediterranean
A young migrant from Sierra Leone survived three days at sea, clinging to inner tubes, before being rescued by brave crews amid tragic circumstances.
An 11-year-old girl has been rescued after clinging to inner tubes for three days in stormy weather in the Mediterranean. Rescuers from non-governmental organization Compass Collective were on their way to another emergency when they heard her desperate cries for help.
The girl, who has not been named, hails from Sierra Leone and revealed to the rescuers that she had embarked on a journey with 44 others from Sfax, Tunisia. Unfortunately, their boat sank amidst fierce storms, and she is now presumed to be the only survivor.
Rescuers aboard the Trotamar III found the young migrant at around 03:20 (02:20 GMT). Katja Tempel, a spokeswoman for Compass Collective, reported that the girl had only a simple life jacket and two inner tubes secured around her waist. She recounted how the metal boat they were on capsized within moments due to 3.5-meter (11.5-foot) waves, and though she managed to stay afloat for a while with two others, she lost contact with them in the tumultuous waters.
After being rescued, the girl was handed over to Italian authorities on the island of Lampedusa, where she was able to walk and talk, showcasing her resilience. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), it is estimated that 30,955 migrants have died or gone missing while attempting to cross the Mediterranean since records began 10 years ago. Italy has faced heightened migrant inflows, receiving over 63,000 this year alone, as reported by the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.
Despite the tragic incidences, the number of crossings has decreased somewhat, a consequence of strict policies instituted by Italy’s right-wing government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The situation has also led to increased attention on migrant journeys, as stories of determination and peril emerge from the depths of the Mediterranean crisis.
