On June 12 2024, the migrant rescue vessel Ocean Viking, operated by the NGO SOS Méditerranée, safely offloaded 64 migrants at the Tuscan port of Marina di Carrara. The ship arrived at 7:15 a.m., having rescued the migrants on June 8 within the Libyan search and rescue zone in the southern Mediterranean.
Among the 64 migrants were 12 unaccompanied minors, all aged over 14, predominantly from sub-Saharan Africa. Others hailed from Bangladesh, Syria, and Pakistan, with no women among them.
Health checks and necessary transfers were meticulously organized by the prefecture of Massa Carrara. Upon arrival, the migrants underwent identification procedures and received medical examinations, with a few cases of scabies reported.
Guido Aprea, the local prefect, disclosed that only five of the arrivals would stay in Massa Carrara—three adults and two minors. The remaining migrants were distributed across hosting centers throughout Tuscany.
Roberta Crudeli, the deputy mayor of Carrara, expressed satisfaction with the response to the arrival of the migrants, stating, “Once again, Carrara has responded in the best way possible, and we are proud of this.” She highlighted that Carrara has welcomed over 1,500 individuals seeking a better future in Italy.
Crudeli extended her gratitude to Prefect Guido Aprea, municipal officers, social workers, civil protection teams, police, port authorities, the ASL health authority, and numerous volunteers whose contributions were crucial in managing the situation.