Italy: 558 refugees allowed to dock after eleven days at sea
A test for COVID-19 aboard the Geo Barents before a disembarkation at the port of Augusta, on the island of Sicily, Italy, on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Illustrative image) AP - Samy Magdy
Text by: RFI Follow
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The country has seen a sharp increase in the number of exiles and refugees reaching its shores in recent months.
According to data from the Italian Interior Ministry, as of December 28, 66,482 migrants have reached Italy since the start of the year, up from 34,134 at the same period in 2020.
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This Tuesday at the end of the day, Italy authorized the Geo Barents to dock at the port of Augusta in Sicily.
This humanitarian ship is managed by the non-governmental organization Médecins sans frontières (MSF).
It is the relief and the end of a wandering at sea for its 558 passengers, mostly from Africa.
Over the past eleven days, the crew has treated fuel burns, respiratory infections, injuries related to violence while awaiting the green light from the Italian authorities.
174 unaccompanied minors
MSF said an 8-month-pregnant woman and 174 unaccompanied minors, some as young as 12, were on board.
The last of the rescues was carried out on December 24: rescuers spotted a small wooden boat in distress, crowded with 100 people on two levels.
The wait, however, continues for another ship, the German Sea Watch, with 440 people on board.
In 3 days, the crew organized 5 rescue operations at sea. This Tuesday, 4 people including a pregnant woman were evacuated.
"
The weather conditions are deteriorating [...] with strong winds and rain.
[...] A ship can only offer limited protection in such conditions,
”writes the Sea Watch team on its Twitter account.
Strong winds and rain hit the # SeaWatch3.
Among the 440 people on board are many small children and minors.
A ship can only offer limited protection under such conditions.
The #EU must take responsibility now, they all have the right to go ashore in a port of safety!
pic.twitter.com/g88PNBuvkp
- Sea-Watch International (@seawatch_intl) December 28, 2021
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See also: Migrants: increase in shipwrecks and rescue operations in the Mediterranean
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