In Libyan hell

Audio 19:30

Boarding the Ocean Viking.

(Illustrative image) © Guilhem DELTEIL / RFI

By: Guilhem Delteil Follow

21 mins

On March 18 and 20, 2021, the Ocean Viking rescued two boats in distress off the Libyan coast.

The NGO SOS Méditerranée boat took on board 116 people, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, fleeing Libya and trying to clandestinely reach European coasts.This crossing is one of the most dangerous in the world.

Since 2014, more than 20,000 people have died trying to reach Europe via the Mediterranean, the majority in the central Mediterranean, off Libya.

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So what is it that drives thousands of people to embark on this dangerous journey?

Our special envoy aboard the Ocean Viking heard their testimonies.

For the sake of protecting minors, some identities have been changed.

“In the Libyan Hell”, a Grand Reportage by Guilhem Delteil.

Boarding the Ocean Viking.

© RFI / Guilhem DELTEIL

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  • Libya

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