Twenty-one-year-old dead as SeaWatch5 rescues 93 survivors

Sea Watch International says its rescue ship,  SeaWatch5 has rescued  93 people.  

Sea Watch  announced this on its X handle.

The post reads: “URGENT! Yesterday, our #SeaWatch5 crew rescued 93 survivors. 9 people were evacuated to Italy, incl. a 2-year-old in life-threatening condition. Despite horrific weather, Italy forces us to a port +1100km away with the remaining people on board, endangering all of us.

“The waves are 2 meters high & the winds are stormy, but authorities still insist on the far-away port Marina Di Carrara. This port is as far as Milan is from Copenhagen. A dangerous four-day journey for people who are exhausted & in need of medical assistance on land.”

The statement noted that the medical emergencies that made “our crew fear for our guests’ lives were already evacuated last night, close to Lampedusa, amongst them a two-year-old girl suffering from severe hypothermia. All survivors could already be safe if the  Italian authorities allowed all to disembark.

“We are deeply concerned for all still at sea: the weather puts several boats reported by @alarm_phone at risk. In recent days, a child has gone missing & a 21-year-old man was recovered dead. The Italian & EU authorities must act now & save the lives of those still at sea immediately!”