ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — In response to the shipwreck off the Italian coast, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) dispatched a delegation to Italy on Wednesday, according to a statement from the KRG Department of Foreign Relations.
The delegation’s primary objective is to investigate the incident, which tragically claimed the lives of numerous Kurdish migrants and individuals of other nationalities.
Among the victims are the families of Rebwar Kamal and Qadir Ahmed, who tragically drowned off the southern coast of Italy. The two families, totaling eleven members, were seeking refuge in Europe after a five-month stay in Turkey.
Three Kurdish families, originating from Erbil and Sulaimani's Raparin administration, tragically lost their lives while attempting to migrate to Europe off the coast of southern Italy. pic.twitter.com/vOoMBHX13p
— Zoom News (@zoomnewskrd) June 20, 2024
The ill-fated journey began last week when traffickers overcrowded a yacht meant for 15 passengers with 76 individuals, including women and children. According to Rekan Kamal, the brother of Rebwar Kamal, the migrants endured harrowing conditions at sea after their vessel capsized.
Qadir Ahmed’s family saw only his wife, Muzhda, and their 17-year-old son Miran survive, while Rebwar Kamal’s daughter Larin, aged 10, was the sole survivor from her family.
The KRG has taken steps to confirm the identities of the victims, with plans to send family representatives to Italy.
“We will travel to Italy as soon as the paperwork is complete,” stated Bakhtiyar Ismael, cousin of the deceased.
