MARSEILLE: The migrant rescue vessel Ocean Viking, operated by a French-based charity, successfully rescued 86 individuals off the coast of Libya on Tuesday after their vessel encountered difficulties while attempting to reach Europe.
The rescued migrants, predominantly from Gambia and Senegal, were found suffering from dehydration, exhaustion, and fuel burns, according to a spokesperson for the charity.
Majority of Rescued Migrants are Minors
Notably, the majority of those rescued were minors who had embarked on the perilous journey across the Mediterranean without their families. The Ocean Viking’s crew provided immediate medical assistance to the survivors and ensured their safety on board.
Italian authorities have granted permission for the passengers to disembark at the port of Bari. However, the charity indicated that the journey to Bari would still take approximately three days.
This rescue operation comes amidst ongoing migration challenges in the Mediterranean. According to the Italian interior ministry, around 90,000 migrants have arrived by sea so far this year. The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported an alarming increase in the number of migrant deaths while attempting to cross the Mediterranean, with 1,724 fatalities recorded this year, compared to 1,417 in the previous year.