The Italian coastguard and Maltese authorities have reported a devastating week in the Mediterranean, with the death toll from attempted crossings potentially reaching 380 migrants. These fatalities occurred as “Cyclone Harry” brought treacherous weather and massive waves to the waters between North Africa and Southern Italy.
The Guardian reports that a confirmed shipwreck on Friday resulted in 50 deaths, with only a single survivor. The man was rescued by a merchant vessel after spending 24 hours clinging to the wreckage. According to the distress hotline organization Alarm Phone, the boat had originally departed from Tunisia on January 20.
Impact of Cyclone Harry on migrant boats
The extreme weather caused by the cyclone is also blamed for the presumed deaths of one-year-old twin girls from Guinea near the island of Lampedusa. Beyond confirmed wrecks, the Italian coastguard is currently searching for eight additional vessels launched by smugglers from Sfax, Tunisia, despite the “treacherous conditions”. It is estimated that 380 individuals from these missing boats may have drowned, the Guardian reports.
Statistics from the Italian Interior Ministry indicate that boat arrivals in 2025 totaled 66,296. While this is a decrease from previous years—following strict migration deals with Libya and Tunisia—the journey remains remarkably lethal.
The Guardian highlights that non-governmental organization (NGO) rescue efforts have been hampered by an Italian government crackdown, which includes hefty fines for rescue vessels and mandates ships to dock at distant northern ports rather than nearby Sicilian harbors.
The human cost of the central Mediterranean route
Despite these hardline measures, the central Mediterranean remains a primary, albeit deadly, corridor for those seeking refuge in Europe. Since 2014, the International Organization for Migration has recorded over 25,600 deaths or disappearances on this route, with the majority of tragedies involving vessels departing from Tunisia or Libya.
Related: Greece Faces Fivefold Surge in Migrant Arrivals via Libya Route
