Status: 09/17/2022 11:30 a.m
After several days at sea with more than 400 rescued people on board, the “Sea-Watch 3” can now go ashore: the ship is allowed to dock in Italy. In the Mediterranean, however, other rescue ships are still waiting for a port to be assigned.
The more than 420 refugees rescued by the “Sea-Watch 3” are allowed to go ashore in Italy. The authorities have assigned the ship to the port of Reggio di Calabria. This was announced by the Sea-Watch organization on Twitter during the night. The crew reportedly declared a state of emergency because supplies on board were running low.
The “Sea-Watch 3” had rescued a total of 428 migrants and refugees in several operations, after which the ship waited for days for permission to bring the rescued ashore. One person had to be evacuated on Friday for medical reasons.
“Humanity1” with many refugee children on board
The “Humanity 1” of the organization SOS Humanity with 415 refugees on board was still waiting for a port to be assigned. The crew had taken the people on board in four operations within a week. Half of those rescued are children and young people, 113 of them unaccompanied. The medical situation on board is becoming increasingly critical, a doctor reported from “Humanity1” on Twitter.
The “Open Arms” of the Spanish organization of the same name is currently deployed in the Mediterranean. The crew rescued 19 refugees from a wooden boat on Thursday, including four children and two babies.
Mediterranean Sea: One of the most dangerous escape routes in the world
The Mediterranean is considered one of the most dangerous escape routes in the world. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), at least 1,297 people have died or are missing since the beginning of the year. The number of unreported cases is likely to be much higher.
There is no state-organized sea rescue, only private organizations look out for refugees in distress at sea. After their rescues, the helpers often have to wait a long time for a port to be assigned to bring the people ashore.