Tragedy Strikes as Migrants Rescued by Ocean Viking: 60 Dead, Including Women and a Child
In yet another heartbreaking incident in the Mediterranean, it has been reported that at least 60 people, including women and a child, have lost their lives during a tragic journey. These migrants were rescued by the Ocean Viking ship operated by Sos Mediterranee, after being found adrift off the coast of Libya. According to the NGO, the survivors revealed that they had set sail from Zawiya seven days prior to their rescue. However, their engine broke down just three days into their journey, leaving them stranded without water or food. The survivors have claimed that at least 60 individuals perished during the treacherous voyage.
Following the rescue operation, which involved individuals in critical health conditions, an emergency medical evacuation was conducted with the assistance of the Italian Coast Guard. “Two individuals who had lost consciousness and could not be revived by our teams were transported to Sicily by helicopter,” added Sos Mediterranee.
The news of this shipwreck in the central Mediterranean has deeply shaken the international community. Ocean Viking reported the successful rescue of 25 people who had departed from Zawya, Libya, a week ago, while approximately 60 others remain missing. Urgent action is needed to strengthen maritime patrols and prevent further tragedies, states the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency.
New Arrivals in Lampedusa
Lampedusa, an Italian island located in the Mediterranean Sea, continues to witness new arrivals of migrants. Just last night, a total of 207 individuals were rescued by the port authority and the financial guard. The first group, consisting of 45 Tunisians and Syrians, was intercepted while sailing on a boat measuring 8 meters in length. Onboard were four women and six minors. The rescued migrants stated that they had departed from Chebba, Tunisia.
The second group, comprising individuals from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Eritrea, and Sudan, departed from Zuara, Libya. Another 45 people were rescued from this group. It is worth noting that the last 127 arrivals, including three women and two minors, also embarked on their journey from the same starting point. According to their declarations, they are of Sudanese, Moroccan, Bengali, Pakistani, Syrian, Egyptian, and Indian nationalities. All of them have been transported to the Imbriacola hotspot, where there are now a total of 324 guests.
This recent series of tragic events highlights the ongoing crisis in the Mediterranean, as desperate individuals risk their lives in search of safety and a better future. The plight of these migrants calls for immediate and coordinated efforts to address the root causes of migration, strengthen search and rescue operations, and provide humanitarian assistance to those in need. The international community must come together to find sustainable solutions and prevent further loss of life in the treacherous waters of the Mediterranean.
