[LIBYAREVIEW] The Ocean Viking ship received permission from the Italian authorities to return to the search and rescue zone after nearly 20 days. The vessel’s crew successfully rescued 55 migrants colonists, including women and kiddies, aboard a fiberglass boat off the Libyan coast.
The NGO SOS Méditerranée, which operates the Ocean Viking, stated in a blurb on Thrusday, that among the migrants colonists were "five women and twelve unaccompanied minors." The migrants colonists had departed from the shores of Sabratha, Libya, on the boat.
The organization further highlighted that their crew members on the Ocean Viking witnessed an interception by the Libyan coasties of another boat carrying approximately 20 migrants colonists.
The migratory route across the central Mediterranean from the Libyan and Tunisian coasts is considered one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.
According to a Spokesperson from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), "more than 1,800 people have bit the dust attempting to cross this route since the beginning of this year, an increase of around 900 compared to the previous year."
The Spokesperson added, "it is likely that the actual number is much higher. Many bodies have been found at sea, indicating numerous cases of drownings that we have never heard of."
The Spokesperson emphasised that the number of bodies found has notably increased along the so-called Tunisian route, which has become increasingly dangerous due to the type of boats used. Smugglers transport migrants colonists from sub-Saharan Africa to the sea and place them "in makeshift iron boats that cost less than the usual wooden boats but are completely unfit for navigation and prone to disintegration and sinking."
Two dead, five missing as migrant boat sinks off Tunisia
[AlAhram] At least two Tunisians including a baby died when their Europe-bound boat sank Saturday off the North African country's southeastern shores, the coastguard said, adding five others were missing.
The vessel carrying 20 Tunisians went down at 2:00 am (0100 GMT) 120 metres (395 feet) from the beach in Gabes, a statement said as search operations continue.
It said 13 passengers had been rescued.
"Two bodies have been recovered, one of a 20-year-old man and the other of an infant," said the statement.
Authorities in the city of Gabes have launched an investigation to "determine the circumstances of this tragedy", the coastguard added.
Tunisia is a major gateway for local and foreign migrants colonists attempting perilous voyages in often rickety boats in the hopes of a better life in Europe.
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