In a devastating turn of events, three young sisters lost their lives in a harrowing incident at sea, as a migrant boat capsized in the central Mediterranean. The incident, which occurred over the weekend, has sent shockwaves through the international community and reignited calls for urgent action to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis unfolding on Europe's doorstep.

According to reports from the German rescue charity RESQSHIP, the sisters, aged 9, 11, and 17, were among a group of approximately 65 individuals attempting the perilous crossing from Libya to the Italian island of Lampedusa. The rubber boat, which was described as "dangerously overcrowded," departed from the Libyan city of Zuwara and encountered rough seas just a few hours into the journey.

"The boat was taking on increasing amounts of water, and waves of up to 1.5 meters kept crashing over the vessel," said Barbara Sartore, the charity's communications coordinator, who was on board the rescue ship Nadir. "It was pitch-dark, and in the chaos, it was impossible to see that the three sisters, sitting deep inside the boat, had already drowned."

The tragedy unfolded as the survivors were being evacuated one by one. Sartore recounted the harrowing moment when she heard "screams and someone pointed to the water inside the boat," realizing that the three sisters had perished.

"When the survivors realized what had happened, it was sheer horror," Sartore added.

In addition to the three sisters, the rescue operation also recovered the body of another individual who had fallen overboard earlier. The remaining survivors, including the sisters' mother and brother, as well as three pregnant women and a seven-month-old baby, were safely brought to shore.

The incident has once again highlighted the immense dangers and risks faced by those attempting the treacherous Mediterranean crossing in search of a better life. Libya, a major launching pad for these perilous journeys, has long been a source of concern for humanitarian organizations and international bodies alike.

"What happened to the three sisters is unimaginable, as is the danger that people on the move face in search of safety," said Katja Schnitzer, a crewmember of the rescue boat.

The United Nations agencies have reported that more than 700 people have died trying to cross the central Mediterranean from North Africa this year alone. In the wake of this latest tragedy, there are renewed calls for increased search and rescue operations, as well as better support and protection for the survivors upon their arrival.

As the world grapples with the ongoing migrant crisis, the heartbreaking loss of these three young lives serves as a stark reminder of the human toll and the urgent need for a comprehensive, compassionate, and coordinated response to address this humanitarian emergency.