Nearly 500 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean seek safe ports
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Nearly 500 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean by two boats run by aid agencies were looking for safe ports in Malta and Italy, the groups said Monday.
The Ocean Viking, a rescue vessel run by SOS Mediterranee in partnership with Doctors Without Borders (MSF) was carrying 407 people rescued in a total of five operations carried out over 72 hours.
Another 78 people were taken on board the Alan Kurdi, run by the Sea-Eye organisation based in Germany. They were rescued in two operations.
🔴BREAKING! #OceanViking has rescued 184 men, women & children from two rubber boats in distress tonight.
102 people were rescued 80 NM from #Libya & 82 in the Maltese SRR.
With five nighttime operations in less than 72 hours, the total of survivors now safely onboard is 407. pic.twitter.com/lDbhfHWiau
“As we approached, it was clear the people were highly stressed & panicking,” MSF tweeted, quoting Catherine, one of the nurses on board the Ocean Viking.
“Having been at sea for 22 hours, many were suffering from hypothermia & dehydration. Others had been exposed to fuel, which can develop into burns on the skin,” she added.
MSF had refused an offer to land them at Libya as “it is not a safe place” and were looking for other destinations,” he added.
An internationally brokered truce between the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli and rival eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar has already broken down.
