The MV Struma, a small, overcrowded vessel, was primarily transporting Jewish refugees from Romania seeking asylum in Palestine during World War II. As they journeyed through the Black Sea, the ship faced numerous challenges, including insufficient supplies and the harrowing conditions of wartime maritime travel. Despite the desperate circumstances passengers found themselves in, hopes rose as they approached a land they believed could offer them safety and a new beginning. Unfortunately, their aspirations met with disaster on February 24, 1942.

The Struma's troubles mounted with the escalating war, and its presence in the Black Sea did not go unnoticed. Just days before the fateful torpedo strike, the vessel had been shadowed by Soviet naval forces. On that day, while attempting to reach a territorial area considered safe, the MV Struma was attacked and struck by a torpedo fired from a Soviet submarine. The explosion resulted in catastrophic damage to the ship, leading to the immediate deaths of many passengers and crew members. Within moments, the vessel sank beneath the waves with few survivors.

In the aftermath of the sinking, a mere one person managed to survive while many others perished in the ocean's depths. The tragedy of the Struma underscored the dire plight faced by Jewish refugees during this era, illustrating the significant risks they undertook in their search for safety amid the broader context of wartime violence and persecution. The event became a poignant symbol of the Holocaust's hidden tragedies, highlighting the desperate attempts of many to escape the horrors of Nazi Europe. Debates about refugee policies and the responsibilities of nations took center stage in subsequent discussions as the world grappled with the implications of such events.