Cutro shipwreck: Associations file a collective complaint with the Office of the Public Prosecutor

Shipwreck remains by a beach. Source: Alarm Phone

More than 40 Italian and European civil society associations submitted a collective complaint to the Public Prosecutor’s Office at the Crotone Court asking for an investigation into last Sunday’s shipwreck in Steccato di Cutro, which cost the lives of at least 72 people, including many children.

“In the face of so many dead and who knows how many missing, it is our duty to shed light,” the organisations say. “We want to contribute to establishing the facts. There can be no grey areas when it comes to who is responsible for what in their various parts of the rescue apparatus.”

Finally, the associations reiterate their demands on Italy and Europe:

To reduce dramatically the risk of further tragedies;
To set up an adequate and proactive search and rescue system as soon as possible.

Signatory associations:

AOI – ASSOCIAZIONE ONG ITALIANE
Associazione Contro gli Abusi in Divisa (A.C.A.D.)
Associazione per gli Studi Giuridici sull’Immigrazione (A.S.G.I.)
Associazione Clinica Legale per i Diritti Umani
Associazione Progetto Accoglienza,
ARCI
Borderline-Europe
Casa dei Diritti Sociali
CIAC
Comitato Verità e Giustizia per i Nuovi Desaparecidos
Legambiente Nazionale
Consorzio Italiano di Solidarietà – ufficio rifugiati ONLUS (ICS)
Fondazione Gruppo Abele
Gruppo Lavoro Rifugiati
International Justice and Human Rights Centre
Legal Team Italia
Medici Senza Frontiere
Associazione Don Vincenzo Matrangolo
Rete Comunità Solidali
Open Arms Italia
Oxfam Italia
SOS MEDITERRANEE Italia
Progetto Mem.Med – Memoria Mediterranea
Mediterranea Saving Humans
PROGETTO DIRITTI
WatchTheMed Alarm Phone
Sea-Watch
Sea Eye
RESQ – PEOPLE SAVING PEOPLE
Diritti di Frontiera – Laboratorio di Teoria e Pratica dei Diritti
Fondazione Roberto Franceschi
A Buon Diritto
Confederazione Unione Sindacale di Base
Iuventa-crew
Louise Michel
Associazione Comunità Progetto Sud
Medici del Mondo Italia
Campagna LasciateCIEntrare
Melting Pot
MoCi Cosenza
Coordinamento Nazionale Comunità di Accoglienza
La Petite Bibliothèque

Alarmphone on X

🆘 40 people are drifting between #Crete, #Egypt for hours. Authorities & merchant vessels are informed about the situation. Despite a storm with over 2m waves is predicted, #JRCCCairo said they will not send out a boat to rescue the group! Rescue and safe passage is needed now!

2

🆘 45 people on their way to #Crete calling for help. The group reports that water is coming into the boat. We urged #JRCC Cairo and @HCoastGuard repeatedly to launch a rescue operation, but so far nobody arrived. The people are desperate and exhausted. Rescue is needed NOW!

A relative informed us that his brother was forced back to #Libya by Libyan military. MRCC Rome told us that RCC #Malta was in charge of this case. The boat was far north in Maltese SAR - we condemn this violent #Pushback and demand answers!