Libyan coastguard fires shipwrecked migrants, rescuers

During a rescue operation by the #MareJonio of the NGO @RescueMed, the so-called Libyan coastguard fired on shipwrecked people and helpers, Seebrüecke described has alleged.

It said the Mare Jonio had received the information about the distress at sea from @alarm_phone.

“The Mare Jonio informed the Italian Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre that it was sailing to the emergency. The people on board the ship, whose engine had failed and was in danger of sinking, were provided with life jackets by the crew of the Mare Jonio,” Seebrüecke International said.

Meanwhile, it continued “the Libyan patrol boat appeared with intercepted people on board and radioed the crew of the Mare Jonio to leave the emergency. They made dangerous manoeuvres around the boat and fired into the air as the Mare Jonio signalled to continue the rescue.

“Panic broke out and people jumped from the boat in distress and the Libyan patrol boat into the water.

“As the crew of one RHIB began to pull the people out of the water, the so-called Libyan coastguard fired on the second RHIB of the Mare Jonio.”

The Mare Jonio, it said was finally able to bring a total of 56 people to Pozzallo, Italy.

“We are shocked by the level of violence displayed by the so-called Libyan coastguard.

“The EU is supporting the so-called Libyan coastguard with money, equipment & training – making the EU partly responsible for this ongoing violence! We demand safe passage, freedom of movement for all people and an end to the EU’s cooperation with the so-called Libyan coastguard!”