During the rescue operation, Barbara Sartore, the charity’s communications coordinator, recounted the horrific moment when the bodies of the sisters were discovered. Chaos ensued as water flooded the vessel and panic spread among the survivors. She noted that the girls had drowned inside the boat, hidden below the surface, as the remaining passengers focused on evacuating. The situation worsened for the survivors, many of whom suffered severe chemical burns from a dangerous mix of seawater and petrol on board. Rescue missions by Italy's coastguard and the charity have highlighted the ongoing dangers faced by migrants seeking safety across the Mediterranean, where over 700 people have lost their lives this year alone. UN agencies are calling for an increase in search and rescue operations and improved safety measures for those rescued.