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Geneva/Lampedusa, Italy, December 12, 2024 – In a heartbreaking tragedy, an 11-year-old girl from Sierra Leone was found floating alone in the Mediterranean Sea after a shipwreck off the coast of Lampedusa. She was the sole survivor among the 45 passengers aboard, all of whom, including women and children, are believed to have drowned.
Rescuers discovered the girl in the middle of the night, clinging to two tire tubes and wearing a makeshift life jacket. Dehydrated and starving, she had been adrift for at least 12 hours, according to a doctor’s assessment. The child recounted to rescuers that the boat had departed from Sfax, Tunisia, and sank in a storm. Her brother and cousin, who were traveling with her, were among those who drowned.
This tragedy marks the third deadly shipwreck involving migrants in the Mediterranean in the past three weeks. Since 2014, nearly 31,000 people have died or disappeared attempting to migrate across the Mediterranean, including hundreds of children. UNICEF reports that one in five migrants taking this perilous route are children, many fleeing violent conflict and poverty.
UNICEF’s Call for Action
Following the tragedy, UNICEF has issued an urgent plea to governments to strengthen their commitments under the Migration and Asylum Pact to safeguard children. Key measures include:
- Establishing safe, legal, and accessible pathways for children to seek protection and reunite with family members.
- Implementing coordinated search-and-rescue operations and ensuring safe disembarkation processes.
- Providing community-based reception and access to asylum services.
“Saving children’s lives requires comprehensive solutions,” a UNICEF spokesperson said. “This includes psychosocial support, legal aid, health care, and education services for those arriving in Europe via these dangerous routes.”
UNICEF also stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of migration, such as conflict and poverty, while promoting the integration of migrants into host communities. “The rights of children on the move must be protected at all times,” the agency stated.
A Growing Crisis
The Mediterranean remains one of the world’s deadliest migration routes. Despite repeated calls for action from humanitarian organizations, the risks faced by migrants, especially children, continue to escalate. The lack of safe migration pathways forces families to undertake perilous journeys in unseaworthy vessels, leading to tragedies like the one off Lampedusa.
Hope Amid Despair
The survival of the young girl, though miraculous, underscores the urgent need for global action to protect vulnerable children and families. As governments deliberate policies and funding priorities, organizations like UNICEF urge them to prioritize human lives and dignity.
For this 11-year-old girl, her rescue offers a glimmer of hope amid profound loss. But for the thousands of migrants who continue to risk their lives seeking safety and a better future, the stakes remain perilously high.
For more information, visit UNICEF’s website.
