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19 migrants found dead in a dinghy off Lampedusa after waves of up to seven metres

The Italian coast guard found 19 people dead and rescued 58 survivors from a dinghy in distress about 80 nautical miles from the island of Lampedusa, coast guard spokesperson Roberto D'Arrigo said on Wednesday, April 1. The operation took place on Tuesday night inside the Libyan search and rescue zone, in rough weather, and the migrants had probably left from Libya.

The Associated Press reported that the victims likely died of hypothermia, although the cause still had to be verified, and that survivors reached Lampedusa after a 10-hour trip. D'Arrigo said the coast guard was the only crew able to intervene, because no other ships or rescue teams were in the area.

“Sea conditions were pretty extreme, with waves of more than 6-7 meters.” — Roberto D'Arrigo, via AP

The News International, carrying AFP, said an Italian reconnaissance plane had spotted the drifting boat on Tuesday and that no Libyan coast guard or civilian vessels were nearby. Five children were among the 58 survivors. Lampedusa mayor Filippo Mannino said seven people, including two children, were in hospital with hypothermia and intoxication from hydrocarbon fumes. Hong Kong's RTHK also carried the story under the headline “19 migrants found dead by Italian coastguard.”

How each outlet framed it

• AP — extreme seas, an empty rescue zone, and Lampedusa as Europe's main entry point, recalling a deadly August 2025 wreck.
• The News International — AFP's detail on the spotter plane, the children aboard and the fuel-fume injuries.
• RTHK — a brief Asian pickup focused on the death toll.

Where the numbers differ: AP put the rescue about 80 nautical miles from Lampedusa; AFP said about 135 km (85 miles). AFP also said some migrants may have died during the return trip.

What we don't know yet: the confirmed cause of death and how many people were originally on board.