Rescue services are still searching for the bodies of migrants from the shipwreck off the coast of Calabria. The death toll is already more than 60.
Fr. Rosario Morrone is the pastor of Botricello, a village 5 miles from Crotone, where the shipwreck occurred. Two bodies washed up on a beach in his village.
FR. ROSARIO MORRONE
Witness to shipwreck
If I had known that night that they were going to drown, I would have jumped into the sea. I know the sea. The sea does not scare me. I would have jumped into the sea naked to rescue them. They were a little over 300 feet from the shore. Personally, I can swim 300 feet. I would have done it if it was necessary. I don't understand why we did not help until after their death. They are our brothers.
While locals pay their respects to the victims, Fr. Rosario is appealing to the international community to respond to this humanitarian emergency.
FR. ROSARIO MORRONE
Witness to shipwreck
I heard this scream and felt it inside me, these people lying there dead crying out, crying for help. A strong arm must always help a weak arm. It is a scream that keeps me up at night.
Between 150 and 250 migrants from Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan were on the boat. About 50 survivors have been rescued, but responders anticipate that sea conditions will make it difficult to bring more people out alive.
PA
TR: OJ
