The director of the NGO SOS Méditerranée, Sophie Beau, talks about the dramatic situation of the 234 migrants picked up by the “Ocean Viking”, still waiting for a port of reception. The pressure is increasing on Italy.
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“There are significant risks of loss of human life” if no port is designated to accommodate the ship Ocean Viking and its 234 migrants on board, worried Saturday November 5 on franceinfo Sophie Beau, co-founder and director of the NGO SOS Méditerranée. The boat is currently in international waters, close to Sicily. “We have had survivors on board for a fortnight. There has never been such a long waiting period in the history of the Ocean Viking. It is unprecedented and extremely shocking, she denounced. According to her, diplomatic discussions are taking place but in the meantime there is no designated port”.
The director of SOS Méditerranée describes “difficult weather conditions”, “a complicated psychological situation” as well as a “epidemic of respiratory infections on board”. According to her, “this is an emergency situation”. Sophie Beau says “find logic” to disembark “in Italy or Malta because they are the closest countries”.
“It’s a matter of hours now because I’m really afraid of serious consequences for the people on board. It’s extremely dangerous”, she finishes. On Friday, November 4, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said France was ready “to take part of the women and children, as we have done previously”.