The humanitarian rescue ship Ocean Viking, operated by SOS Méditerranée, is expected to arrive in the Italian port of Ancona on June 1st 2024. On board are 67 people rescued from distress in the Mediterranean, including seven minors, three of whom are unaccompanied.
The Prefecture of Ancona announced that the Ocean Viking is expected to arrive on June 1 at around 8 am. Among the migrants, all of whom are men, there are 60 adults and seven minors, with four being accompanied and three unaccompanied. These individuals hail from a variety of countries, including Syria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Pakistan, Palestine, Guinea Conakry, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. They were rescued after a shipwreck in Libyan waters.
To accommodate the incoming migrants, an operational plan has already been implemented in coordination with the Prefecture. Following their arrival and the usual health checks, the migrants will be transferred to the Paolinelli sports center in the Baraccola area of Ancona for identification procedures. Once these procedures are completed, the adult migrants are scheduled for transfer to other regions in Italy, while the minors may remain under care in the Marche region. This marks the ninth time an NGO ship with rescued migrants has arrived at the port of Ancona.
On May 29, large paper boats bearing the message “Don’t just stay there and watch” appeared at some of Rome’s most famous fountains and on the Tiber River. This initiative was organized by SOS Méditerranée in Italy to raise awareness about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Central Mediterranean. The organization highlighted the daily tragedies occurring under the watch of often indifferent or hostile political establishments.
SOS Méditerranée issued a press note urging Europe to address the deadly migration route, which claims thousands of lives annually. The note condemned the criminalization and obstruction of life-saving efforts. Over 10,000 citizens have signed a petition calling on institutions to end the massacre of migrants and to intervene with a united and effective response. Activists hope to deliver this message to Brussels with the next legislative session.