ROME — Sixty-four people are missing in the Mediterranean Sea, and several others have been rescued after their ship wrecked off Italy’s southern coast on Monday, United Nations agencies reported in a statement. This tragic event underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis faced by migrants attempting dangerous sea crossings to Europe.

In a separate incident, rescue workers evacuated dozens of suspected migrants and discovered 10 bodies trapped below the deck of a wooden boat off Italy’s tiny Lampedusa island. The German aid group Resqship shared this grim news on the social media platform X.

The boat that wrecked about 200 kilometers (125 miles) off Calabria had set off from Turkey eight days earlier but caught fire and overturned, according to the U.N. agencies, citing survivors. The search-and-rescue operation began after a mayday call from a French boat, the Italian coast guard said in a statement. The vessel was sailing in a border area where both Greece and Italy conduct search-and-rescue operations. The survivors and those still missing at sea came from Iran, Syria, and Iraq, the U.N. agencies reported.

The Italian Maritime Rescue Coordination Center immediately redirected two merchant vessels that were nearby to assist in the rescue. Assets from the European border and coast guard agency Frontex also participated in the operation. The survivors were brought to the Calabrian port of Roccella Jonica, where they were disembarked and received medical attention. Tragically, one of the 11 rescued migrants died shortly after arriving, the coast guard confirmed.

In the second shipwreck near Lampedusa, the crew aboard Resqship’s boat, the Nadir, encountered a wooden boat in distress, filled with water and carrying 61 people. "Our crew was able to evacuate 51 people, two of whom were unconscious," Resqship reported. "The 10 dead were in the flooded lower deck of the boat." This incident highlights the perilous conditions faced by migrants making these treacherous journeys.

The central Mediterranean route, particularly the stretch of sea between North Africa and Italy, remains one of the deadliest migration paths in the world. Despite numerous rescue missions and increased patrols by European authorities, thousands of migrants continue to risk their lives in hopes of reaching European shores. Many are fleeing conflict, persecution, and poverty in their home countries.

The recent shipwrecks add to the growing toll of lives lost at sea. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 1,100 migrants have died or gone missing in the central Mediterranean so far this year. The IOM has repeatedly called for more comprehensive search-and-rescue operations and safer migration pathways to prevent further tragedies.

The Italian government, along with other European nations, faces significant challenges in addressing the complex issues of migration and asylum. While rescue operations are crucial, there is also a pressing need for long-term solutions that address the root causes of migration and ensure the safety and dignity of those seeking refuge.

The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with various humanitarian organizations urging for stronger measures to protect vulnerable migrants. The recent events off the coast of Italy serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for coordinated efforts to prevent further loss of life and to provide adequate support and protection for those in peril.

As the search for the missing continues, the survivors will receive ongoing medical and psychological support to help them recover from their traumatic experiences. The Italian coast guard and Frontex remain vigilant, patrolling the Mediterranean waters to respond swiftly to any further distress calls and to save lives in this ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The global response to the migrant crisis requires a multifaceted approach, including increased international cooperation, comprehensive immigration policies, and humanitarian aid. The tragedies in the Mediterranean underscore the need for sustained efforts to address the root causes of migration, such as conflict, economic instability, and climate change, which force individuals to embark on perilous journeys in search of safety and a better life.