Meloni blames Frontex for the shipwreck in Calabria that left more than 60 dead: "We couldn't save them"

The 'premier' faces criticism by asking if anyone really believes that their government would let 60 people die at sea

MADRID, 5 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has defended herself against criticism after the deaths of more than 60 migrants off the coast of Calabria, in the south of the country, alleging that the European border agency, Frontex, did not warn the government of Italy of no emergency and that the Italian authorities could not do anything.

"We have not been notified that this vessel was in danger of sinking. The route is not covered by NGOs and, therefore, our government's provisions on these organizations have nothing to do with it," Meloni asserted in statements to the journalists collected by AdnKronos.

In this sense, the far-right leader has attacked those who accuse the Italian Executive of having allowed the death of migrants, assuring that the country's authorities could not save them.

"I wonder if there is really someone in this country who consciously maintains that the government has deliberately left more than 60 people to die, including children," the Italian 'premier' asserted.

"I ask you, looking into your eyes - Meloni continued, addressing the journalists - if any of you think that the Government could have saved 60 people, including a three-year-old child, and it has not done so. I beg you, let's be serious," the Italian president continued, remarkably upset.

Meanwhile, Meloni has stated that the "best way" to honor the victims is to prevent such an event from happening again, stressing that "this is what a serious government should do", according to the aforementioned agency.

"I have heard that if Meloni escapes, that if Meloni does not go. I read reconstructions that seem surreal to me. The Government went to Calabria the same day that the tragedy took place," he defended, stressing that his Executive does give importance to the affair.

The Italian Prime Minister's statements come after 70 people lost their lives, including several children, last Sunday when a boat with nearly 200 migrants on board capsized off the coast of the Italian region of Calabria, in the south of the country.

According to the Italian authorities, the Frontex plane notified the operational section of the town of Crotona, but the terrible sea conditions forced the team to turn around.

The Meloni government has been criticized, however, for the recent approval of a law on maritime rescue that contemplates fines of up to 50,000 euros for those who provide humanitarian assistance and which the United Nations has described as "worrying."

The new law makes it difficult, among other things, for humanitarian organizations that operate in the Mediterranean, as it stipulates that vessels have to go to port immediately after carrying out a rescue, forcing them to ignore emergencies that may arise additionally.