Aware Migrants

Credits: Radio-Canada/Jean-François Bélanger

In the Sicilian port of Pozzallo, a secluded space attracts attention. A cemetery of boats where dozens of boats seized by the authorities are stacked. These broken hulls are those of the dinghy boats used by desperate migrants to come to Europe.  

On board, there are still sandals, towels, bottled water and life jackets. So many silent testimonies of these dramatic journeys. The migration route of the Mediterranean has left at least 3119 dead last year. A figure probably far below reality, because many shipwrecks are far from sight, without survivors, without witnesses. And the victims of these shipwrecks leave few traces.   An isolated corner of the cemetery of Catania is reserved to them. A grassy square where are aligned series of signs covered with numbers, dates or the mere mention "cadaveri sconosciuti", corpses unknown. The modest burials contrast with the exuberance of the adjacent Sicilian tombs, covered with inscriptions, photos, flowers.  

Read more: Radio Canada