Sicily marks anniversaries of 2013 Mediterranean migration tragedies

Commemorations are being held to honor victims of major Mediterranean migration tragedies that occurred in 2013. In Scicli, the community marks the anniversary of the Sampieri tragedy on September 30, 2013, when a small boat ran aground, resulting in the deaths of thirteen migrants.

In Lampedusa, the XIII Day of Memory and Welcome, titled ‘Voices of the Mediterranean,’ focuses on the shipwreck of October 3, 2013, which claimed 368 lives and left approximately 20 people missing. Organized by the 3 October Committee, the event facilitates dialogue between survivors, families of victims, and students.

The memorial includes participation from various international and local figures, including UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, UNHCR representative Francesca Bonelli, and IOM mission chief Salvatore Sortino. The program features roundtables, workshops, a city procession, and a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at sea to preserve the memory of the victims and promote human rights.