The Humanity 1 Rescue Ship has successfully intercepted a distressed wooden boat in the central Mediterranean, rescuing 126 individuals, including 30 minors and a newborn.
The rescue took place in Maltese waters, where the Humanity 1, operated by the German NGO SOS Humanity, responded to distress calls from both Frontex, the European border control, and Alarm Phone, a hotline for people in distress.
The rescued individuals had departed from the Libyan coast two days prior, facing harsh weather conditions that left them in distress. The survivors, suffering from hypothermia, dehydration, and exhaustion, had clung to the struggling vessel for hours amidst waves as high as six feet.
Onboard were survivors who spoke of harrowing experiences, describing Libya as “hell” and recounting human rights violations on the Libyan side. Many had attempted the perilous Mediterranean crossing multiple times, only to be intercepted by the Libyan coastguard and subjected to inhumane conditions in Libyan prisons.
Viviana di Bartolo, Humanity 1’s Search and Rescue coordinator, highlighted the deplorable state of the distressed wooden boat, which lacks safety equipment, life jackets, and basic necessities. The vessel was ill-suited for safe navigation, emphasizing the dire circumstances faced by those attempting the dangerous journey.
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The rescued refugees expressed concerns about being taken back to Libya, fearing further mistreatment. Lukas Kaldenhoff, Humanity 1’s press officer, stated that they would request a closer port of safety due to rough weather conditions and the presence of vulnerable cases requiring immediate medical attention.
Humanitarian Crisis
This latest rescue underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the central Mediterranean, with has caused at least 2,498 known deaths in 2023, making it the deadliest year since 2017. According to the International Organization for Migration, the Central Mediterranean route remains the deadliest migration route globally, with over 17,000 deaths and disappearances recorded since 2014, predominantly originating from Libya and Tunisia.
As the international community grapples with the urgent need for solutions, NGOs like SOS Humanity continue their perilous search-and-rescue missions, providing a lifeline to those attempting to escape violence, discrimination, and the loss of livelihood from various countries, including Syria, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Turkey, and Egypt.
