A call for help. SOS Méditerranée requested for the first time Thursday, November 3 the help of France, Spain and Greece. The European NGO wants to find a safe port to disembark 234 migrants rescued by its ship Ocean Viking, And this, before the weather deteriorates. The organization fears “a strong wind, high waves and a drop in temperature by the end of the week”adding that “Provisions are starting to run out” on board.
While Italian and Maltese authorities turn a blind eye to the fate of survivors stranded at sea, @SOSMedFrance sent requests to the maritime authorities of France, Spain and Greece to solicit their support for mediation with their counterparts. pic.twitter.com/5KcSsrOGAi
— SOS MEDITERRANEE France (@SOSMedFrance) November 3, 2022
Since its first rescue on October 22, SOS Méditerranée has requested, as usual and in accordance with maritime law, the authorities of the search area, in Libya and Malta, without obtaining an answer, explained to AFP the director. and co-founder of the NGO, Sophie Beau. On Twitter Thursday noonNicola Stalla, a coordinator of the NGO, spoke of a situation “absolutely urgent” on board. “TAny additional day of waiting could have fatal consequences”she clarified.
The NGO then approached Italy, but the recent rise to power of the far right in Rome and the anti-migrant declarations of its leaders leave little hope of obtaining a green light. The Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi has indeed mentioned a potential ban on entry into territorial waters targeting three ships, including that of SOS Méditerranée. The organization received no response Thursday.
This is why SOS Méditerranée turned to France, Spain and Greece. “We are not asking France to open a port for us, but to help us find a solution”, primarily in Italy or Malta, Explain Sophie Beau. These are the two states closest to theocean vikingwhich is currently south of Sicily.
Since the beginning of the year, 1,765 migrants have disappeared in the Mediterranean, including 1,287 in the central Mediterranean, which represents the most dangerous migratory route in the world according to the International Organization for Migration.