A charity rescue vessel operating off the coast of Libya recovered the bodies of 11 migrants on Friday 7th of June 2024, following the rescue of over 160 individuals from boats near the North African country, as reported by Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
The MSF vessel, Geo Barents, conducted two operations to rescue 146 migrants and later discovered an additional 20 individuals on another boat. Unfortunately, they also encountered the tragic sight of 11 bodies spotted by a reconnaissance plane floating in the sea, according to Reuters.
In response to the incident, MSF expressed their distress on the social media platform X, emphasizing the urgent need to end such tragedies: “We do not know the precise cause of this tragedy, but we know that people continue to die in a desperate attempt to reach safety. This slaughter must end.”
The central Mediterranean route has been recognized by the United Nations as the most perilous migrant crossing globally, with over 20,000 deaths and disappearances recorded since 2014.
Italy has urged neighboring countries Tunisia and Libya to take stronger measures to prevent migrants from embarking on dangerous sea journeys. Additionally, Italy has imposed restrictions on rescue operations, alleging that they incentivize migration to Europe – a claim refuted by charitable organizations.
Highlighting the challenges faced by rescue missions, Italy directed the Geo Barents vessel to transport the rescued migrants to the northern port of Genova, situated over 650 nautical miles away from their current position and far from the more accessible ports in Sicily.
MSF voiced concern over the delay in providing assistance to the survivors, noting the additional hardships they would endure as a result of the extended journey: “This will significantly delay assistance for the… survivors who endured a lot already,” MSF stated.