The humanitarian ship Ocean Viking, owned by NGO SOS Mediterranee and with 296 survivors, issued a Friday appeal to the maritime authorities to allow some migrants to disembark at a safe port.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has partnered with NGO SOS Mediterranee to chart an ambulance ship that has been involved in four rescue operations. It has rescued 296 migrants from Libya and Malta.
SOS Mediterranee stated that 49 minors were included, with a baby of just three months and six women who are pregnant.
“The Ocean Viking has eight requests for a safe landing spot for survivors. These have been made to the maritime authorities (Libyan Maltese, Italian) since the rescues on May 19th.” a spokesperson for the European Association for Search and Rescue on the High Seas, based in Marseille.
The NGO adds that despite all these requests, no solution has been found to the 296 children, women and men currently aboard the Ocean Viking. It can only provide temporary shelter.
A medical official from the ship captured the following: Some survivors show signs of violence during their stay in Libya; others are injured during crossings or have chronic conditions, which can lead to them needing medical attention ashore.
Libya is a key crossing point for thousands of migrants who seek to reach Europe each year by the Italian coasts. It’s about 300km away.
According to the International Organization for Migration, the central Mediterranean is the most dangerous route for migration in the world. According to the UN agency, there will be at least 1,553 people who are missing or killed in this region by 2021.
SOS Mediterranee has rescued 35,630 people, women and children since February 2016. They have used the Aquarius and Ocean Viking ships.
