The bodies of the girls were recovered by a German rescue charity after their rubber boat capsized in treacherous conditions, with waves reaching heights of 1.5 meters (4.9 feet). ResQship reported that among the rescued were the sisters' mother and brother, alongside several other vulnerable individuals, including pregnant women and an infant.
The sisters, aged nine, 11, and 17, were last seen alive before the chaotic rescue operation began on Saturday. According to communications coordinator Barbara Sartore, during the evacuation process, chaos ensued as their bodies were discovered submerged within the flooded vessel. Sartore described the horrific scene as survivors realized the grim fate of the sisters amidst the panic.
In addition to the loss of life, many survivors suffered from serious chemical burns linked to a dangerous mix of seawater and petrol in the boat. The Italian coastguard managed to rescue some individuals from the boat and transported them to safety on Lampedusa, while the rescue ship Nadir brought the remaining survivors and the girls' bodies later.
A crewmember remarked on the unimaginable tragedy faced by the sisters and the broader dangers encountered by those seeking refuge. UN agencies cite that more than 700 individuals have perished in similar attempts across the Mediterranean this year, amplifying calls for increased search-and-rescue measures and better safety protocols for migrants disembarking in Europe.
The sisters, aged nine, 11, and 17, were last seen alive before the chaotic rescue operation began on Saturday. According to communications coordinator Barbara Sartore, during the evacuation process, chaos ensued as their bodies were discovered submerged within the flooded vessel. Sartore described the horrific scene as survivors realized the grim fate of the sisters amidst the panic.
In addition to the loss of life, many survivors suffered from serious chemical burns linked to a dangerous mix of seawater and petrol in the boat. The Italian coastguard managed to rescue some individuals from the boat and transported them to safety on Lampedusa, while the rescue ship Nadir brought the remaining survivors and the girls' bodies later.
A crewmember remarked on the unimaginable tragedy faced by the sisters and the broader dangers encountered by those seeking refuge. UN agencies cite that more than 700 individuals have perished in similar attempts across the Mediterranean this year, amplifying calls for increased search-and-rescue measures and better safety protocols for migrants disembarking in Europe.
