Marseille - Saba:
The rescue ship "Ocean Viking" has rescued 101 migrants, including 29 women and seven children, from a wooden boat that was facing difficulties off the Libyan coast, in its first rescue operation this year, the non-governmental organization "SOS Mediterranee" said on Friday.
"The distressed boat was spotted using binoculars in international waters within the Libyan search and rescue area," the Marseille-based organization in southeastern France added in a statement.
The organization's teams, in cooperation with teams from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, provided care to the survivors, who are of various nationalities such as Somalia, Syria, Eritrea, and Egypt.
The Ocean Viking is currently heading to Ravenna, the port of disembarkation designated for it by the Italian authorities.
"Ravenna was chosen as a disembarkation point, despite the bad weather conditions and rough seas, which means that it is four days away by sea. Hence, we call on the Italian authorities to designate a closer port," the Organization said.
"We emphasize that - according to international maritime law - survivors must be disembarked within a reasonable period of time. However, the policy of distant ports has deliberately delayed rescue operations, putting people's lives at risk," the organization added.
According to figures from the International Organization for Migration, 31 people have disappeared or died in the Mediterranean Sea since the beginning of the year, while trying to reach Europe.
| more of (International) |