SeaWatch on its way to location of a “half-sunk boat in the Mediterranean as nearby merchant vessel too afraid to rescue in view of closed harbours
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The Sea Watch is on its way to try to save people who were on board of a boat, which according to reports is half sunk, with people in the water. The journey of Sea Watch to the destination is expected to take 10 hours, according to the communications by SeaWatch.
SeaWatch crew tweeted that they overheard communication about a distress case with the boat half sunk already and some of the people in the water. In its communications, it said that a merchant vessel is nearby but to our knowledge not helping. According to the tweet, this is a consequence of closed harbours which makes them too afraid to rescue.
When calling MRCC Italy, they refused to give the information about the case, only informing them that MRCC Tripoli would be responsible. When they called there no one could speak in English, Italian or French. They could not speak even Arabic. Communication with the authorities over the case so far was not successful.
Since there was no update on assistance, the SeaWatch 3 is now changing course and heading towards the position of the boat in distress.
