Eight people found dead aboard a boat in Maltese waters

MADRID, 3 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) -

At least eight people have been found dead aboard a boat rescued from suitcase waters by the Italian Coast Guard, in which dozens of North African citizens were on board, according to Italian authorities.

A Coast Guard patrol that was near the island of Lampedusa ran into the boat late this Friday, after which they rescued 46 people who were still alive and recovered the bodies of the deceased. has reported 'Corriere della Sera'.

Among the eight people who have lost their lives were three women, one of whom was pregnant, as detailed by the Coast Guard.

Hours earlier, the mayor of Lampedusa, Linosa Filippo Mannino, accused the Italian government, led by the far-right Giorgia Meloni, of leaving the local administration alone to manage "this terrible tragedy."

"I appeal to the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. Do not leave us alone to manage this enormous tragedy. Help us, so we can't take it anymore", Mannino asserted, as reported by 'Agrigento Notizie'.