OceanViking rescues 623 people from Sudan, Burkina Faso, Benin, others

623 people from Sudan, Guinea Conakry, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Benin and Bangladesh have been rescued on the Mediterranean Sea by OceanViking.

The rescued people comprised 15 children, 146 unaccompanied minors, and 462 adults.

SOS MEDITERRANEE France, whose mission is to save lives, protect survivors, bear witness to the situation in #Méditerranée announced the rescue.

The announcement reads: “Great rescue operation ever carried out by the #OceanViking, after 48 hours of operations, people 15 rescued. 14 of them were on the road between Sfax and Lampedusa (Maltese search and rescue region) coordinated by the Italian authorities.

623 people rescued from unseaworthy canoes. There are 15 children, 146 unaccompanied minors, 462 adults, safe and cared for aboard #OceanViking. Main countries of origin: Sudan, Guinea Conakry, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Benin, Bangladesh

“The #OceanViking is now heading towards Lampedusa, where the Italian authorities have asked it to make a partial landing. It will then go to Civitavecchia, designated as a place of safety for the disembarkation of the last survivors.”