On 26 February 2023, a boat carrying migrants sank amidst harsh weather conditions while trying to land on the coast of Steccato di Cutro, a seaside resort village in the town of Crotone, in the region of Calabria in southern Italy. The boat was carrying between 143 and 200 migrants when it sank, of whom at least 65 died, including 14 children. Eighty-one people have been rescued. Background According to the International Organization for Migration, over 20,000 people have died or gone missing on the Central Mediterranean route since 2014. The Central Mediterranean route has been one of the most active despite the dangers it poses, making Italy one of the most common landing countries, although many continue on to northern European countries. Incident On 26 February 2023, a boat that had set sail from İzmir, Turkey, a few days earlier, and was carrying migrants across the Central Mediterranean route sank off the southern coast of Crotone, Italy. According to the Italian news agency Adnkronos, more than 100 people were aboard the boat when it sank, and they were from Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Other local agencies mentioned that there were migrants from Iraq, Syria, and Somalia as well. The Anadolu Agency said that the boat carried "some 200 people", while survivors stated that the number was between 150 and 240. The boat sank while attempting to land after it crashed into rocks in rough weather conditions. Video footage of the incident shows timber from the boat broken into pieces and floating along the beach. Parts of the boat's hull were also seen washing up along the seashore. An official said that wreckage was strewn along 300 meters of beach. Motorboats, vessels, and a helicopter were deployed to help with rescue efforts. Firefighters on jet skis were also deployed, but operations were complicated due to harsh weather conditions. According to the Italian Coast Guard, 80 people were found alive. Victims At least 65 people were killed in the sinking, including 14 children, one of whom was a baby less than one year old. Eighty-one people have been rescued. The Pakistani Embassy in Rome has revealed that the bodies of 28 Pakistanis have been recovered. Most survivors were Afghans, Pakistanis, and Somalis. One of the survivors has been arrested on migrant trafficking charges. Investigations On 28 February 2023, Italian police arrested a Turkish man and two Pakistani nationals on grounds of