In Sardinia, a boat carrying Algerian migrants strikes a swimming girl

On Chia beach in southern Sardinia, a motorboat carrying 14 undocumented migrants from Algeria struck a 17-year-old girl who was swimming near a red buoy not far from shore. The incident, which took place in mid-August, was captured on video by an eyewitness and sparked widespread outrage across Italy, according to Il Fatto Quotidiano.

Footage shows the fibreglass-hulled boat, fitted with an 85-horsepower engine, failing to slow down before the collision. The girl suffered several fractures, lost consciousness and nearly drowned. Her life was saved by a 16-year-old boy who happened to be nearby: he dodged the boat at the last moment, then kept the injured girl afloat until help arrived.

Rescue and the chase for the culprits

Other beachgoers pulled the girl ashore, after which a rescue helicopter flew her to hospital. Doctors say her life is not in danger.

Investigators established that the boat's driver — a 28-year-old Algerian national — did not stop after hitting the girl but fled the scene. He dropped off the migrants on another beach roughly six kilometres to the west of the incident site. All 14 passengers, who had no identification documents, tried to flee inland on foot but did not get far, according to broadcaster Rai News.

A coast guard helicopter tracked their movements from above, and carabinieri soon detained the entire group near the coast. The man who had been driving the boat has been charged with facilitating illegal immigration and causing serious bodily harm.

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Source: novinky.cz