Since the beginning of the year, Italy has been flooded by an unprecedented influx of migrants. A state of emergency was declared at the beginning of April and five million euros will be made available to increase the reception capacity.
Thousands were rescued by the Italian Coast Guard. Despite this, according to the United Nations, the first quarter of 2023 was the deadliest since 2017. Between January and March 2023, 441 people lost their lives at sea, a number that is probably higher. The deceased are often buried unidentified, as Italy – and Europe – are not legally obliged to do so.
For almost ten years, Dr. Cristina Cattaneo, forensic pathologist and professor at the University of Milan, has been running a research project that will identify about 800 of these victims and inform the families who are looking for their missing. A work that started in 2013 when a boat sank on Lampedusa, killing 366 people. Cattaneo is the protagonist of the movie “Pure Unknown”, which follows her struggle.
What was the original aim of your research project?
Cristina Cattaneo: When we started in 2013, during the Lampedusa disaster, we wanted to prove two things. First, that the families of the victims were actually looking for their missing persons – which was disputed by many at the time. Second, that it is possible to identify them.
Currently, migrants who die crossing the Mediterranean are not identified, especially in Italy.
When a mass disaster occurs, post-mortem data is usually collected, autopsies are performed, and families searching for their missing provide photographs or DNA. This is how the authorities make matches and identify the victims. However, in Italy and Europe, the techniques for collecting and storing these samples in case of migrant deaths at sea are not coordinated.
Are post-mortem analyzes still being performed?
Yes. Post-mortem examinations, DNA samples and in some cases even autopsies are performed. The data is being collected, but no one is trying to compare it to the families’ data.
How is it that these deceased are still buried nameless?
After more than ten years of research, I have the sad impression that the fate of these unknown people and their families is of little interest. In Italy, as in Europe, it is mainly about the living. It has been shown that the families of the missing are looking for their deceased and, above all, that a large majority of these people suffer from the trauma of ambiguous loss – when the loss of a loved one is not clear, there are no answers -, some stress and can lead to depression.
Would it be easy to institutionalize the identification of these ‘pure unknowns’, as you call them?
we have proven it. The different technologies already exist and are easy to use. There are forensic laboratories in European countries. And there is so much data – including clinical and medical – that is securely exchanged within and outside countries. The solution is simple.
How can this be filled in concretely?
Every country in Europe should have a body dedicated to collecting data on missing persons. This also applies to migrants who died at sea. This way, victims’ families know where to go to provide the information necessary for identification. The samples are then matched and shared between countries. Because what people forget is that most of the family members are already in Europe. They just don’t know how or where to look for their missing. For example, a mother in Germany can find her dead son in Italy.
Is it true that the victims’ families traveled to Milan to search for missing persons?
That’s exactly the case. In 2023, many people still do not know that our research project exists, that we collect the data of some of the migrants who died at sea. We also work with NGOs or countries such as Switzerland that contact us to ask if we have identified this or that person so that the families do not have to travel.
Why did you decide to participate in this film?
Originally this research project was scientific. It’s political now. We traveled to Brussels in March 2022 to advocate for the institutionalization of this data collection process and the legal regulation of the identification of migrants who died at sea.
And what has happened since then?
Nothing. My colleagues and I firmly believed that we could create a law that would close this regulatory gap, because I remain convinced that without such a law we would get nowhere. We have volunteered for many years. It is now up to governments to fund this work.
Do you expect things to change now?
I don’t expect anything, I keep fighting. We also need to identify a few people. We will complete the project when this work is completed. What worries me is how to proceed. It is April and the number of migrants who have died in Italy crossing the Mediterranean is already very high.
«Pure Unknown» will be screened on Saturday 22 April and Tuesday 25 April at the Visions du Réel documentary film festival in Nyon. Here’s the program.
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
