Sea-Watch accuses Italy of failing to provide assistance

On September 2, Sea-Watch's search and reconnaissance aircraft in the Mediterranean, the “Seabird 2”, discovered a boat in distress 26 nautical miles off the Italian coast. The sea rescuers bypassed all relevant authorities, including the Italian and Maltese coast guards.

Two days later, on September 4, a boat sank ten miles off the Italian island of Lampedusa. A comparison of photos taken by the Seabird crew and the Italian coast guard shows striking similarities: a wooden boat of identical shape and color, with the survivors wearing similar clothing. The number of people on board also matches.

This is the description of the private sea rescue organisation in the Mediterranean “Sea-Watch”.

Sea rescuers suspect: Italy refused help

There are “strong reasons to believe” that the boat did not receive help in time despite alerting the relevant authorities in both countries and sank, said a Sea-Watch spokesman in Berlin. “The Italian authorities reacted too late and 21 people are still missing today,” criticized Sea-Watch. The refugee aid organization accuses Italy and Malta of failing to provide assistance.

The Mediterranean is one of the most dangerous refugee routes in the world. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 1,300 refugees and migrants have died or are missing during the crossing since the beginning of the year. (epd/mig) Current Panorama