13th Anniversary of Lampedusa Shipwreck Commemorated in Italy

A commemoration ceremony was held on the Italian island of Lampedusa to mark the 13th anniversary of the tragic 2013 shipwreck that claimed the lives of 368 migrants. The majority of the victims who perished when the vessel traveling from Libya caught fire and sank were Eritreans. Known as the 'Day of Remembrance and Welcome,' this annual event was officially established by Italy in 2016. The 2026 commemorations were organized under the theme 'Voices of the Mediterranean.' Activities leading up to the main event included workshops, discussions involving survivors and students from across Europe, and an interfaith memorial service at the Church of San Gerlando. The event continues to hold profound significance for Eritrean families who lost relatives in the disaster.