An Italian police official announced today, Wednesday, the arrest of a fourth suspect believed to be a human trafficker in connection with a boat sinking off the southern coast of Italy last month that resulted in at least 72 deaths. The official stated that the suspect, a 27-year-old Turkish national, was apprehended in Austria yesterday evening after managing to escape from the disaster site in the early hours of February 26. No further information was provided.
Police had already arrested three others suspected of being human traffickers, including one Turkish and two Pakistani nationals, shortly after the boat sank, following the identification of some survivors by the police. The wooden boat, which was overcrowded with around 180 migrants, set sail from Turkey on February 22 and sank after colliding with rocks five days later near the village of Steccato di Cutro. So far, 72 bodies have been recovered, including 28 minors and 30 women. Seventy-nine individuals survived, while around 30 are still missing. Survivors indicated the presence of at least one other human trafficker, who is likely of Syrian nationality, who managed to escape from the boat and has not yet been identified. Investigators have so far identified four suspects, all of whom are currently in custody.
Prosecutors have begun investigations into the disaster, one concerning human traffickers and another regarding whether the Italian authorities did enough to prevent the tragedy. The Italian government has denied accusations of delaying the rescue operation after receiving a report from a Frontex-operated aircraft about the boat approaching southern Italy amid rough seas. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated yesterday that Frontex did not report any issues with the boat's navigation, adding that Italian coastal services "acted correctly." Meloni is scheduled to hold a cabinet meeting in Cutro tomorrow, Thursday, where she is expected to approve a bill to tighten penalties against human traffickers.
