Investigation
50 escapees from Libya distressed on international waters
50 migrants who escaped from Libya are distressed on the sea and crying for help.
Alarm Phone said it was in contact with the distressed migrants. “The engine stopped working and the boat is adrift. People say water is entering the boat. We alerted authorities and demand a fast rescue to a place of safety,” Alarm Phone said, adding: “We are still in contact with the ~50 people in distress in international waters. The boat is adrift. The fishing vessel #AlbaChiara is nearby but we don’t manage to directly communicate. We asked Libyan authorities to relay the SOS, but they claim they are on Friday holidays.”
Alarm Phone further further said: “We were just called by the ~50 people in distress. They are desperate and still waiting for rescue. Water is entering the boat. The situation is critical. We urge all the relevant authorities: Don’t let them drown!
“We can confirm that this boat in distress was pushed back to #Libya after the people were taken aboard the merchant vessel MANTA ZUHAL. These #pushbacks are cruel, they must be stopped. Libya is not safe.”