# Milan Exhibition Documents Mediterranean Migrant Shipwreck Tragedies A new exhibition at Fabbrica del Vapore honors victims of Lampedusa and Cutro shipwrecks. - **Source:** [Il Fatto Quotidiano](https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/0942f163-fb3c-4630-8942-c000e01b2459 ## Exhibition at Fabbrica del Vapore The exhibition titled Archivio del mare opened on November 12 at Milan's Fabbrica del Vapore. Running until November 29, the event is free to the public and features one hundred photographs, videos, and personal testimonies. It was organized by the Municipality of Milan in collaboration with SOS MEDITERRANEE and ZONA. ## Focus on Historical Shipwrecks The display centers on two major maritime tragedies that occurred in the Mediterranean. It examines the October 3, 2013, shipwreck near Lampedusa, which resulted in 368 deaths, and the February 26, 2023, disaster at Steccato di Cutro. The latter incident involved the vessel Summer Love, causing 94 confirmed deaths, including 35 minors. ## Visualizing Interrupted Lives Photographer Karim El Maktafi curated a collection of still-life images featuring personal items recovered from the Lampedusa wreckage. These objects, once treated as evidence, are displayed alongside portraits of survivors and family members. The exhibition also includes corroded passport photos found on the seabed, highlighting the human identity behind the statistics. ## Preserving Collective Memory Curator Giulia Tornari describes the exhibition as an act of memory preservation and identity restoration for the victims. By showcasing personal belongings and interviews conducted by journalist Leila Belhadj Mohamed, the project aims to move beyond viewing shipwrecks as mere accidents. It serves as a platform for reflection on systemic responsibilities. ## Legal Obligations and Accountability Valeria Taurino, director of SOS MEDITERRANEE, emphasizes that international maritime law mandates the rescue of individuals in distress. She argues that these tragedies do not occur in a legal vacuum. The exhibition seeks to highlight the ongoing search for justice for families who lost loved ones during these dangerous sea crossings. ## Ongoing Legal Proceedings The Cutro disaster remains under active judicial scrutiny in Italy. While three alleged smugglers were convicted in the first instance, a separate trial is currently underway at the Court of Crotone. Six military personnel, including members of the Guardia di Finanza and Coast Guard, face charges of negligent shipwreck and multiple manslaughter. ## Grim Mediterranean Death Toll Since 2014, the International Organization for Migration has tracked over 35,000 deaths or disappearances in the Mediterranean. Data indicates that more than two thousand individuals perished in 2026 alone, with half of those incidents occurring in the Central Mediterranean. Experts note these figures are likely underestimated due to undocumented maritime tragedies. ## Significance of the Archive This exhibition serves as a critical bridge between historical documentation and contemporary political discourse regarding migration. By presenting tangible evidence of loss, it challenges the public to confront the human cost of current border policies. It remains a vital space for those seeking both historical truth and accountability for maritime failures. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2026/11/12/stragi-migranti-lampedusa-cutro-mostra-milano/8569742/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._