Eleven Dead, Still Without Names: The Difficult Process of Identifying the Victims of the 7 June Shipwreck

Several weeks after the deaths of eleven people, several of whom are believed to have originated from Ethiopia and Somalia, their families continue to face a complex process to have their loved ones officially identified. Without DNA confirmation, some risk remaining anonymous even in death.

Addolorata cemetery, Paola. Frank Vincentz, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0

On 7 June, eleven migrants lost their lives at sea off Malta after their vessel sank. Among them were three men and eight women who are believed to have originated from Somalia and Ethiopia, according to information gathered. Yet several weeks after the tragedy, their names still cannot be made public.

According to the police inspector leading the investigation, authorities must first confirm the identity of the victims before any official recognition can be made. This process relies on a genetic comparison between DNA samples collected from the bodies and samples provided by family members.

For relatives living abroad, the procedure can prove particularly challenging. They must obtain a DNA sample from a certified medical practitioner in their country of residence, have an official DNA profile established and then submit this documentation to the competent Maltese authorities. Once received, the profile is analysed and compared with samples taken from the victims. Only after a confirmed match can the identity of a deceased person be officially established.

The inspector explained that as long as no DNA match has been obtained, authorities cannot attribute a name to the deceased.

Our job is to ensure that information relating to the identity of victims is accurate at 100%, not 99%. Imagine releasing the body of a victim based on a 99 percent probability and then another identification request emerges later. We would be responsible for that," the inspector in charge of the investigation said.

In cases where no family member is able to provide a genetic sample, the question of what happens to the bodies remains unresolved.

Authorities have not specified how long the remains can be kept before a decision is taken regarding burial.

Among the eleven deceased, five are believed to be Ethiopian nationals, according to information shared by the Ethiopian community in Malta, which has mobilised to provide financial support to some of the victims' families. Fundraising initiatives are currently being organised to cover the costs associated with obtaining the DNA profiles required for identification.

At least two of the victims' families live in remote rural areas of Ethiopia, where access to specialised medical services is difficult," explained a member of the Ethiopian community.

For these families, the financial cost of the process also represents a significant challenge. The mobilisation also aims to support the repatriation of bodies to Ethiopia if identification procedures are successful. Otherwise, if DNA profiles cannot be obtained and families are unable to officially identify their loved ones, the community is considering organising funerals and a memorial service in Malta so that the deceased can be laid to rest with dignity.

No information could be obtained regarding any potential mobilisation by the Somali community.

Beyond administrative procedures, this situation highlights a reality that often remains overlooked in discussions surrounding migrant shipwrecks: for some families, mourning can only truly begin once a name can finally be restored to those who have disappeared.

Background

On 7 June, a vessel carrying migrants in distress was reported approximately 50 nautical miles east of Malta. According to authorities, several people fell into the sea while attempting to reach a fishing vessel that had come to assist them.

A rescue operation coordinated by the Rescue Coordination Centre involved vessels in the area, assets from the Armed Forces of Malta, and the Italian Coast Guard. Fifty-three people were rescued and eleven bodies were recovered before being transferred to the competent authorities for identification procedures.

The translation reads naturally in English and follows the conventions of humanitarian and migration reporting commonly used by international media outlets.

The original version of this article is in French.