[Eyes on the Central Med #61] Chaotic situation in Libya and surge … – ReliefWeb
[18.05 08.06.23] The following publication by SOS MEDITERRANEE intends to shed light on events which unfolded in the central Mediterranean in the past weeks. It is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather to provide a general update on maritime search-and-rescue-related matters occurring in the area we have been operating in since 2016, based on public reports by different NGOs, international organisations and the international press.
Rescues operated near daily by NGO ships, maritime authorities playing a small part in coordination of operations while still attributing distant ports that empty Search and Rescue capacities in the central Mediterranean
On May 17, the rescue ship Louise Michel evacuated 71 people from an overcrowded rubber boat in distress, less than a day after being back at sea. The crew was informed by aircraft Colibri 2 from Pilotes Volontaires about a potential distress case. The next day, the survivors were disembarked in the port of Trapani, Italy.
Between May 18 and 19, according to Italian journalist of Radio Radicale Sergio Scandura, around 700 people were rescued off the coast of Calabria by Italian coast guards, disembarked in Messina and Reggio Calabria, Italy, by Diciotti coast guard ship.
On May 19, according to civil hotline Alarm Phone, the container ship CAPE FRANKLIN rescued 48 people from a boat in distress, coordinated by the Italian Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC). The survivors were disembarked in Pozzallo, Italy.
On May 19, 26 survivors rescued by Geo Barents, vessel operated by MSF, were disembarked in Brindisi, Italy.
On May 25, Ocean Viking of the NGO SOS MEDITERRANEE was involved in a long joint operation with Emergency NGO and seabird aircraft from Sea Watch NGO, to search for a boat in distress reported by Alarm Phone, with approximately 500 people on board in the Maltese Search and Rescue Region, to no avail. The search lasted almost 48 hours: the people in distress were reportedly intercepted and forcibly brought back to Libya.
On May 26, Humanity 1 of SOS Humanity NGO rescued 88 people, including 10 minors, from an overcrowded wooden boat. Later, they were assigned the distant port of Livorno, Italy to disembark the rescued people, regardless of a second boat in distress reported by survivors. After a four-day transit, the 88 survivors were safely disembarked in Italy.
On May 27, another rescue was coordinated by the Italian MRCC, who contacted Geo Barents, operated by MSF, to assist an overcrowded boat in distress with 606 people onboard. After a long rescue operation, the survivors, including 11 women and 151 minors, were safely transferred on Geo Barents. MSF teams onboard were later instructed to disembark them in Bari, Italy. The disembarkation took place on May 30.
On May 28, sailing ship Nadir of Resqship NGO supported an overcrowded boat with about 55 people in distress, providing people with life jackets and water, then accompanying the survivors towards Lampedusa. Later, the Guardia di Finanza proceeded to their evacuation and disembarkation in Lampedusa. The same day, the crew of the Sea Eye 4, operated by Sea-Eye NGO rescued 17 people from a wooden boat in distress at sea. Immediately after, they were assigned the port of Ortona, Italy by the Italian Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, about 1,300 nautical miles away.
On May 30, the Sea Eye 4 conducted a second operation in the Maltese Search and Rescue (SAR) zone, while searching for another case of approximately 400 people in distress. They managed to rescue 32 people from an unseaworthy wooden boat. The 49 survivors were all disembarked in Ortona, Italy, on June 2nd. As the ship did not proceed immediately to the port of Ortona after carrying out the first rescue, the Sea Eye 4 has been temporarily detained by Italian maritime authorities (see next chapter).
On May 31, a new SAR asset, Mare*Go, operated by Zusammenland, was involved in a joint operation with Resqships Nadir and Seabird 2 aircraft. Mare*Go arrived first on scene and assisted the boat in distress with 31 people on board. Later, the Guardia di Finanza evacuated them. Shortly after, the same day, Mare*Go crew spotted another boat in distress with 44 people on board. The crew stayed with the boat until evacuation of the survivors by the Guardia di Finanza.
The next day, on June 1st, several rescue operations were conducted. During the night, Resqships Nadir assisted a total of 160 people on 4 boats in distress in the Maltese SAR zone.
Mare*Go crew also spotted a metal boat in distress and rescued 36 people. Shortly after, they were assigned to the distant port of Trapani, Italy to disembark the survivors, but the vessel proceeded into port in Lampedusa instead. This led to her temporary detention by Italian authorities (see next chapter).
On June 2, Emergencys Life Support rescued 29 people in the Libyan SAR zone. They were assigned by maritime authorities the very distant port of Marina di Carrara, Italy. The survivors were eventually disembarked 3 days after, on June 5, after a 70-hour navigation from the area of operations to the assigned port.
The same day, Nadir assisted a boat in distress with 73 people onboard, providing them with life jackets and accompanying them towards Lampedusa, Italy. Later, the Italian coast guards evacuated the survivors and disembarked them to Lampedusa. The next day, the same crew found several boats in distress: a first operation involved two boats in distress with 65 people on board, providing them with life jackets, before the arrival of the Italian coast guards. Later, a second operation took place: a steel boat in distress was found in the Maltese SAR zone with 39 people on board. Again, the crew provided them with life jackets and accompanied them towards Lampedusa, Italy. Later, the Italian coast guards evacuated the survivors and disembarked them to Lampedusa.
On June 7, according to Sergio Scandura, Italian coast guards were involved in 3 rescue operations in South of Calabria, one of approximately 900 people and two others of approximately 100 and 150.
Two rescue ships temporarily detained by Italian authorities after rescuing a total of 85 people, prevented to pursue their vital mission
Two German vessels have been temporarily detained by Italian authorities after conducting 3 rescue operations between May 28 and June 1st. The Mare*Go and Sea-Eye 4 are said to have violated the new Italian decree law passed in Italy on February 24, providing for the regulation of the activities of vessels dedicated to Search and Rescue in the Mediterranean. Rescue vessels are for instance required to request the assignment of a port and sail to it immediately after each rescue. In both cases, the vessels were punished with 20 days of administrative detention each.
On its first mission, Mare*Go rescued 36 people from distress at sea on June 1st. The ship disembarked the survivors in Lampedusa, although the authorities had assigned her the Sicilian port of Trapani. The ships crew warned that it would not be able to cover the distance to reach the assigned port of Trapani, and that their ship was not equipped to treat the rescued people on the move for that period of time (minimum thirty-two hours of navigation). Mare*Go was detained upon arrival in Lampedusa.
Sea-Eye organization declared they will appeal the decision. On June 4th, the NGO also appealed to the German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and the German Foreign Office with an urgent request for help. This law could completely shut down civilian sea rescue if the Italian authorities continue to apply it in this way. After all, we will not ignore distress calls to prevent detentions. To put us in front of this choice is inhumane and irresponsible, said Gorden Isler, chairman of Sea-Eye.
Tragic milestone of one thousand deaths recorded in the central Mediterranean while interceptions and forced returns continue amidst escalation of violence in Libya
The International Organisation for Migrations (IOM)s Missing Migrants project documented 1,030 deaths recorded in the Central Mediterranean this year only. These figures are an undercount of the true death toll.They mark a worrying increase in deaths compared to the same period last year.
Between May 14 and June 3 2023, at least 900 people were forcibly returned to Libya according the IOM, totalising 6,684 people intercepted by Libyan coast guards in 2023 so far.
Several interceptions taking place in the central Mediterranean were also witnessed and reported by SAR NGOs.
On May 24, SOS Humanity witnessed an illegal pushback performed by a merchant vessel. According to the NGO, the Italian MRCC alerted Humanity 1 and nearby vessels about a boat in distress with 27 people on board. Humanity 1 reported that the people in distress were brought onboard the merchant vessel P. Long Beach, recording a radio conversation where the merchant vessels captain was confirming bringing the survivors to Libya.
On June 8, Sea Bird aircraft and MSFs Geo Barents witnessed Libyan coast guards intercepting a boat in distress with approximately 50 people in international waters, then setting fire to it.
The surge of departures is partly explained by the chaotic situation in Libya. According to Agenzia Nova, tensions were reported in the coastal city of Zawiya at the end of May, with airstrikes conducted by Tripolis prime minister, sending a signal to opponents.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) called on the parties involved to respect national and international law and protect the civilian population.
According to Ansa, US and British embassies also reacted to the escalation of tensions, calling for dtente among the parties involved in the violence in Zawiya.
The beginning of June did not deescalate in violence for people living and transiting in Libya, with migrants detained in raids in the border town of Musaid and other areas in eastern Libya, according to AP news.
Three months after the shipwreck, investigation on Cutro drama
June 2nd, an investigation published by Le Monde, El Pais, Sky News, Domani and Sddeutsche Zeitung, in partnership with Lighthouse Reports, revealed the failings of the Italian authorities and Frontex implications during the Cutro shipwreck. The investigation claims to find contradictions in the official account and evidence that both Italy and Frontex misstated what they knew about storm weather and the boats condition.
On February 26, at least 94 people died, including babies and women, in a shipwreck in Cutro, on the southern Italian coast of Calabria. The boat had departed from Turkey four days earlier, with over 200 people onboard and sank while attempting to land after it crashed into rocks in rough weather conditions. According to different media reports and to Frontex, the latter spotted the dinghy via aerial surveillance a day before the tragedy and relayed the information to the Italian authorities. The Italian authorities launched a law enforcement operation rather than a search and rescue operation in sending two patrol boats of the Italian financial guards that eventually had to return to port because of weather conditions. More than 40 Italian and European civil society associations submitted a collective complaint to the Public Prosecutors Office at the Crotone Court asking for an investigation into the Cutro shipwreck to shed light on the responsibilities of Frontex and of the Italian authorities in the deaths of these people.
Six people are reportedly under investigation, including three Guardia di finanza officials, accused of failing to prevent the tragedy. There will be a trial for the sinking of Cutro, says Francesco Verri, one of the lawyers representing the victims families. The State has clear responsibilities, and the Crotone public prosecutors office will establish them and bring the guilty parties before the judge, he believes.
More here:
[Eyes on the Central Med #61] Chaotic situation in Libya and surge ... - ReliefWeb
- Report: Israel operating in Egypt, Libya, Sudan amid fears hostages could be smuggled out of Gaza - The Times of Israel - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- Libya: Derna flooding disaster could have been avoided, experts conclude - Africanews English - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- Israeli Special Forces Operating In Libya, Sudan To Thwart Hamas Smuggling - Report - I24NEWS - i24NEWS - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- Embarking on a New Era: Libya's National Dialogue for Unity and Progress - The National Interest Online - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- Libya says it suspended oil production at largest field after protesters forced its closure - ABC News - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- Libyan customers prefer quality clothing despite not being the richest in the region: Turkish manufacturer - Libya Herald - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- Unrest In Libya Remains Major Obstacle To Higher Oil Production - OilPrice.com - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- Biden nominates Jennifer D. Gavito to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Libya - Libya Herald - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- Protesters Threaten to Shut Libya-Italy Gas Pipe - Energy Intelligence - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- Kuwait vs Libya Prediction and Betting Tips | January 12th 2024 - Sportskeeda - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- HoR allocates over $100 million for reconstructing some Western Region's cities - Libya Update - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- From Libya to Paraguay: Israel's Longstanding Goal of Expelling Palestinians From Gaza Inches Closer to Reality - Mintpress News - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- CBL latest data reveals US$ 9.9 billion deficit in foreign currency public spending in 2023 - Libya Herald - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- Government discuss reforming legal framework for decentralization in Libya - Libya Update - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- The kiss of death for ''Kiss'' branded Turkish chocolates for non-conformity to Libyan standards - Libya Herald - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- Dbeibeh government's crisis of legitimacy hampers Libya's oil revival - Libya Update - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- Waha Oil Company Urged to Complete Production Increase Projects - Libya Update - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- The Commodities Feed: Libyan force majeure | Article | ING Think - ING Think - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- Oil revenue in Libya reaches $20.69 billion in 2023 | | AW - The Arab Weekly - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- UN proposes establishing a Recovery and Sustainable Development Facility in Libya modelled after Iraq and Pakistan - Libya Update - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- CBL Governor follows up on strategic projects progress, completion rates - Libya Update - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- LBC demands representation at PM's Office to convey the voice of the private sector - Libya Herald - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- GNU working on facilitating return of Libyan woman stranded in Gaza - The Libya Observer - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- 8th Libya Agricultural Exhibition: return of pivot irrigation systems ... - Libya Herald - November 26th, 2023 [November 26th, 2023]
- The African Development Bank, Libya strengthen cooperation, sign ... - ReliefWeb - November 26th, 2023 [November 26th, 2023]
- Promoting Solid Waste Management in Libya for a Circular ... - Libya Herald - November 26th, 2023 [November 26th, 2023]
- Over 25,000 e-stores with turnover in hundreds of millions operating ... - Libya Herald - November 26th, 2023 [November 26th, 2023]
- Erdogan signs motion to extend Turkish troop presence in Libya ... - Libya Update - November 26th, 2023 [November 26th, 2023]
- Talks between Italy's Eni and Libya's NOC on exploration programs ... - Libya Update - November 26th, 2023 [November 26th, 2023]
- News Headlines, Sunday, November 26, 2023 - The Libya Observer - November 26th, 2023 [November 26th, 2023]
- NOC chairman Bengdara hosts the influential Economic Salon ... - Libya Herald - November 26th, 2023 [November 26th, 2023]
- Entrepreneurship Readiness in Libya: An Assessment of ... - Libya Herald - November 26th, 2023 [November 26th, 2023]
- Libya requests China's support in reforming UNSC - The Libya Observer - November 26th, 2023 [November 26th, 2023]
- Libya exports dates to Morocco and mutual opening of branches of ... - Libya Herald - November 26th, 2023 [November 26th, 2023]
- Central Mediterranean: 8 migrants dying every day, says MSF - Libya Update - November 26th, 2023 [November 26th, 2023]
- Libyan desert's yellow glass: how we discovered the origin of these ... - Daily Excelsior - November 26th, 2023 [November 26th, 2023]
- Libya welcomes truce in Palestinian territories - The Libya Observer - November 26th, 2023 [November 26th, 2023]
- Tripoli University's President briefs Presidential Council on teaching ... - The Libya Observer - November 26th, 2023 [November 26th, 2023]
- EU plans new migration deals with Egypt and Tunisia while ... - Libya Update - November 26th, 2023 [November 26th, 2023]
- Economy Ministry workshop on developing fisheries sector and its ... - Libya Herald - November 26th, 2023 [November 26th, 2023]
- Libya Flooding Disaster Underlines the Countrys Corruption - The New York Times - September 29th, 2023 [September 29th, 2023]
- Libya floods: 'Tragedy is not over' warns UNICEF - UN News - September 29th, 2023 [September 29th, 2023]
- Libya floods reveal forgotten structures in ancient Greek city - Euronews - September 29th, 2023 [September 29th, 2023]
- A Libyan photographer captures life after the floods - The New Humanitarian - September 29th, 2023 [September 29th, 2023]
- Conflicts, Disasters Driving More Migrants to Risk Mediterranean ... - United Nations - September 29th, 2023 [September 29th, 2023]
- The UK calls for political solutions to end the exploitation and abuse ... - GOV.UK - September 29th, 2023 [September 29th, 2023]
- Song of the Cyrene: IMB calls Southern Baptists to pray for Libya ... - The Pathway - September 29th, 2023 [September 29th, 2023]
- News Headlines, Thursday, September 28, 2023 - The Libya Observer - September 29th, 2023 [September 29th, 2023]
- At least 79 dead after overcrowded migrant vessel sinks off Greece; hundreds may be missing - The Associated Press - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Hope dims for missing migrants amid questions about Greece's actions in deadly sinking - The Associated Press - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Forum to reform and develop Libya's health system and launch the ... - Libya Herald - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Insurance is an important part of the solution of restarting stalled ... - Libya Herald - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Agreement signed to link Italy with Libya through a submarine cable - Libya Herald - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Expertise France publishes top 20 reforms guide to improving the ... - Libya Herald - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Relatives fear worst with four men and a boy missing after ... - The Associated Press - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- 'Libya needs more investment by Turkish firms' | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Bashagha removed by eastern-based parliament amid Libya's shifting sands | | AW - The Arab Weekly - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Libya Can Move Past Its Political Deadlock, But It Will Take Work to ... - United States Institute of Peace - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Morocco to host new round of Libyan election talks The North ... - The North Africa Post - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Investigation ordered after teenage basketball fan shot dead at Libyan top-flight match - Yahoo Canada Shine On - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Cancelled: Revelations from Norway's Secret Negotiations to Stop ... - Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Spanish gastronomy course inaugurated in Tripoli to last three days - Libya Herald - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Nigerians In Libya Cry For Help, Say Police Move From House To ... - SaharaReporters.com - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Mediterranean: Significant Increase of Arrivals, EU Complicity in ... - European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) | - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- The most prominent points made by Prime Minister Abd Alhamid ... - Libya Herald - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Mali Condemns UN Report in Fight Against Terrorism (Libya and ... - Modern Tokyo Times - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Wagner in Arab Region: Making the Most of Conflict and Misery - Fanack Chronicle - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- What are the repercussions of Bashaghas suspension in Libya? - Al Jazeera English - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Libyan parliament replaces its appointed PM, spokesperson says - Reuters - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Libyas east-based parliament votes to suspend PM - Africanews English - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Sarkozy on trial for alleged Libyan financing of his 2007 campaign? - The Africa Report - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Libyan government faction signs reconstruction deal with international consortium - Global Construction Review - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- UNDP's Local Peacebuilding and Resilience programme in ... - Libya Herald - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Libya: Why The High Council Of State (HCS) Wants To Develop ... - Eurasia Review - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Libya Official Deplores Jailing Of Tunisian Opposition Leader - Barron's - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Libyan poultry breeders and egg producers participate in US ... - Libya Herald - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Since reopening in June 2021, the Spanish embassy has been in ... - Libya Herald - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Libya Scrambles For Gas Supplies To Keep The Lights On |... - MEES - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Mellitah complex restarted after 16 day-maintenance rather than the ... - Libya Herald - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Expanding trade in non-conventional markets is crucial: FBCCI president - The Business Standard - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]