Migrants: a new tragedy in the Mediterranean underlines state inaction

The wreckage of the inflatable boat, probably carrying 130 migrants trying to reach Europe, off the Libyan coast, on April 22, 2021. AP - Flavio Gasperini

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The wreckage of an inflatable boat presumably carrying 130 migrants was found off the Libyan coast late Thursday, but there were no survivors.

This new tragedy of illegal immigration once again raises the question of the responsibility of the countries around the central Mediterranean.

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As of Wednesday morning, the Libyan, Maltese and Italian authorities were alerted to the fate of this boat, but none took action.

The search operations were carried out by three merchant ships as well as by the

Ocean Viking

, the boat of the NGO SOS Méditerranée.

But this research was carried out without any state coordination, assures Morgane Lescot, spokesperson for SOS Méditerranée aboard the

Ocean Viking

 : “

 During the day, the

Ocean Viking

was informed that the Libyan coast guard was on the way to the site of the shipwreck.

By nightfall, the patroller still hadn't arrived.

No coordination was provided at any time by the Libyan authorities. 

"

When the

Ocean Viking

reached the height of the boat, there were only two deflated and already partially engulfed socks on the water, as well as the bodies of some of the passengers.

This tragedy should provoke an international reaction, estimates Morgane Lescot.

“ 

Too few rescue ships, almost zero coordination, an open-air cemetery leaving men, women and children to drown at the gates of Europe, this is the reality in the central Mediterranean that we keep seeing.

We call more than ever for the awakening of the international community and in particular of Europe to put an end to these tragedies.

 "

In this Mediterranean area, it is the

Libyan authorities

who are supposed to coordinate the relief operations.

But the International Organization for Migration (IOM) also denounces the refusal of neighboring European countries to intervene and calls on them to take their responsibilities.

►

See also: Migrants: an Italian media reveals the inertia of the Libyan coast guard in the face of shipwrecks in their territorial waters

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• International Migration

• Libya