The Italian Coast Guard has confirmed the initiation of search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean following the discovery of two migrant boats. One sailboat is reported to have at least 64 individuals missing, with 11 rescued and one fatality. Another boat had ten bodies recovered, while a private agency saved 51 people, some of whom had to be rescued from the wreckage.
The operation began on Sunday, June 16, when a French pleasure boat found a half-sunken sailboat around 120 miles east of Calabria. The sailboat had been at sea for at least eight days after departing from Turkey. The Italian Coast Guard deployed merchant ships, an aircraft, and patrol boats to the area to assist in the rescue efforts.
While the search continued for the missing individuals from the first sailboat, the German aid group Resqship located another distressed vessel near Lampedusa with 61 people aboard. They were able to rescue 51 individuals, including two who were unconscious. The survivors were reported to be from Egypt, Syria, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The EU Coast Guard Frontex is also involved in the search operation, providing assistance alongside the Italian authorities.
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