In the Mediterranean, the Ocean Viking is stuck with 572 people rescued on board
Migrants aboard the Ocean Viking, after being rescued, July 5.
via REUTERS - Flavio Gasperini / SOS Mediterrane
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
Every summer, migratory flows to Europe increase.
The sailing conditions are better than in winter and there are more attempts to cross the Mediterranean.
But the journey remains very perilous: the central Mediterranean, between Libya and Europe, remains the deadliest migratory route in the world.
Over the past seven days, the
Ocean Viking
, the SOS Méditerranée ship, has rescued 572 people at sea.
Publicity
Read more
Since these relief actions, no country has accepted to welcome the boat.
And the situation on board becomes complicated.
This Thursday, July 8, the crew of the
Ocean Viking
requested for the fifth time a safe place to disembark the 572 people rescued at sea. So far, the maritime authorities have not responded favorably. Time is running out, Judge Sophie Beau, the co-founder of SOS Méditerranée. "
We are very worried because we only have food rations for as many people until tomorrow
," she said.
So it's really about feeding and caring for the people on board. There are growing tensions, which can cause small fights between people, etc. People are piled on top of each other, there is not enough space.
"
🔴 (1/2) The # OceanViking still does not have an assigned port to disembark the 572 survivors on board.
The situation is deteriorating hour by hour.
The medical team is reporting more and more cases of psychological distress.
pic.twitter.com/3AlbPnprC2
- SOS MEDITERRANEE France (@SOSMedFrance) July 8, 2021
Suicide attempts on board
In view of the progress of previous SOS Mediterranean missions, Sophie Beau fears that the situation will deteriorate. “
We had other very critical periods on board, especially last year, with a wait of up to 11 days without any announcement from any safe place.
It had been
very complicated to manage
, with suicide attempts on board.
So really, it can escalate at any moment.
And there, we feel that there is a tipping point approaching,
”continues the co-founder of SOS Méditerranée.
This Wednesday evening July 7, a man jumped into the water from the deck of the
Ocean Viking
.
He was recovered by rescuers.
“
The uncertainty
,” he said, “was too much for him to take.
"
Newsletter
Receive all international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Immigration
International Migration
On the same subject
"Ocean Viking", the ship of SOS Méditerranée, rescued 424 migrants in the Mediterranean
Logbook
RFI on board "Ocean Viking": The arrival
Logbook
RFI aboard "Ocean Viking": a second rescue operation