The Italian Coast Guard has rescued around 200 migrants stranded in the central Mediterranean aboard a fishing vessel that had departed from Libya’s shores, according to the non-governmental organization Alarm Phone.
The migrants were transported to the Italian island of Sicily, where they received the necessary care.
In a separate rescue operation, the Coast Guard saved another 40 migrants in distress after their boat ran out of fuel. They had been sending distress signals since June 8.
Alarm Phone also reported a third vessel carrying 50 migrants who became stranded on an oil platform in the central Mediterranean. Authorities are still working to determine their precise location to carry out a rescue.
Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) revealed that at least 652 migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean since the beginning of 2025, confirming its status as one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.
Previous tragedies have also occurred: in May, three people, including children, drowned while trying to cross from Libya to Italy. The EU’s Frontex agency later rescued 59 others near the island of Lampedusa.
Rescue operations continue as increasing numbers of migrants risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean, particularly with improving weather conditions in the summer months.
