Armed Bandits Disrupt Mediterranean Migrant Rescue Mission

An aid group rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean reported that one of its missions was interrupted by armed bandits who commandeered the smugglers’ overloaded boat after the migrants jumped into the sea.

The incident, filmed by SOS Mediterranee on Tuesday, took place approximately 46 nautical miles north of Zuwara on Libya’s western coast, a common departure point for migrant smuggling to Europe.

According to the footage, SOS Mediterranee volunteers were in the process of transferring 93 passengers from the wooden boat to their rescue vessel when two rubber dinghies approached. A masked bandit boarded the migrant boat, causing panic among the remaining passengers, who then leapt into the sea.

The bandit took control of the now-empty boat and sped away as the SOS Mediterranee crew rescued people from the water.

It is unclear if the bandits intended to reuse the boat for future smuggling operations. Often, Italian maritime authorities sink such boats as a safety measure.

via Reuters