Tiny coffin of Lampedusa boat tragedy victim with a teddy on the lid among dozens buried in anonymous vaults despite Italian Prime Minister’s promise of a state funeral

• Unknown child was among over 300 asylum-seekers who drowned when their boat caught fire and sank 
• Dozens of coffins buried in vaults in Sicily despite Italian Prime Minister's promise to hold a state funeral for the victims 

A tiny coffin with a teddy bear fixed poignantly to the lid is lowered into an anonymous vault - the final resting place for one of the youngest victims of Italy's worst ever refugee tragedy.

The unknown child was among more than 300 Eritrean and Somali asylum-seekers who drowned when their fishing boat caught fire and sank last just half a mile from the island of Lampedusa on October 3.

The coffin was one of dozens buried in vaults in the small cemetery of Piano Gatta near the city of Agrigento in Sicily despite Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta's promise to hold a state funeral for the victims.




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