Trial Commences for Italian Officials in Deadly Cutro Shipwreck Case

Italian Officials Face Charges Over 2023 Cutro Shipwreck

A significant trial has commenced in Crotone, Italy, involving six Italian officials accused of negligence and multiple counts of manslaughter in connection with the tragic February 2023 Cutro shipwreck. The incident, which occurred off the coast of Steccato di Cutro, Calabria, resulted in the deaths of at least 94 people, including 35 children. The defendants include two Coast Guard officers and four Customs Police (Guardia di Finanza) officers.

The Tragic Event and Allegations of Negligence

The shipwreck took place on February 26, 2023, when a wooden vessel, identified as the 'Summer Love' by some sources, carrying an estimated 180 to 250 migrants, sank in rough seas just meters from the Italian shoreline. The migrants aboard the boat had departed from Turkey and were primarily from Afghanistan, Syria, and Pakistan. Only 80 to 81 people survived the disaster.

Central to the prosecution's case are allegations that Italian authorities, despite being alerted by the EU border agency Frontex hours before the sinking, failed to activate a comprehensive search-and-rescue operation. Reports suggest that Frontex had identified the vessel and noted signs of distress, including a large number of people on board and the absence of life jackets. Instead of a full rescue, a law enforcement approach was reportedly adopted, with Customs Police patrol boats dispatched, which subsequently returned to port due to adverse weather conditions.

Seeking Justice and Accountability

The trial, which began on January 30, 2026, is being closely monitored by human rights organizations and victim advocacy groups. More than 50 survivors and relatives of the victims have joined the proceedings as civil parties, alongside numerous non-governmental organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. These groups view the trial as a crucial opportunity to establish truth and justice for those who perished and to scrutinize Italian state policies concerning migration and maritime rescue operations.

Serena Chiodo, Campaign Specialist on Migration at Amnesty International Italy, stated that the trial 'will try to establish any individual criminal responsibility for the deaths of dozens of people - including many children - which is fundamental to uphold the right of survivors and victims' families to truth, justice and reparation.' She added that it would also be 'an opportunity to shine a light on systemic failures and reckless decisions by the Italian authorities that may have contributed to the enormous loss of life.' The Central Mediterranean remains one of the world's most perilous migration routes, with ongoing concerns about the adequacy of search and rescue efforts.