SOS Humanity International demands closer port for Humanity1

SOS Humanity International has asked the Italian authorities to assign Humanity1 a closer port for survivors’ wellbeing.

It stated this while condemning the Italian rescue coordination centre instruction that #Humanity1 should bring part of the 291 rescued people on board to #Lampedusa today.

“We strongly criticise that people are being separated and that we are not allowed to bring them all to a nearby port in Sicily!

“Yesterday, the crew of #Humanity1 rescued a total of 291 people from three boats in distress at sea. They had set off together from #Libya. The 111 survivors from the first rescue are now to go ashore in #Lampedusa. From there, they will be taken to Sicily.

“For the other 180 survivors, this will add at least half a day to the already long transit to #Bari. The delay also means that Humanity 1 will run into bad weather with high waves off the Italian east coast. 3/6

“Among these 180 survivors are over 70 unaccompanied minors, 4 young children, and several women – at least 3 of them pregnant. The long crossing puts a great physical and mental strain on all of them, especially with bad weather approaching. 4/6

“All of this could have been avoided if we had been able to take all 291 rescued people directly to a nearby port in Sicily. Now, people fleeing together are being separated and people are being denied the right to disembark quickly and receive care.”

The organisation, therefore urged the Italian authorities to assign the Humanity 1 to a closer port for the 180 people remaining on board Humanity 1. “The long crossing to Bari poses an unnecessary risk to the health of survivors!,” it said.