A non-governmental organisation (NGO) conducting search-and-rescue operations at sea has blamed the coastguard of Libya for obstructing an effort to rescue over 170 individuals endeavouring to make the risky transit across the Mediterranean to Europe.
In their proclamation, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) claimed that during Saturday’s mission in international waters, their vessel provided aid to two boats: a small fiberglass craft carrying 28 passengers and a double-tier wooden ship with 143 individuals aboard that seemed to be under duress.
MSF reported that when they drew close to the larger vessel, the Libyan Coast Guard (LCG) also approached and carried out perilous manoeuvres which endangered the predominantly Syrian refugee passengers even further.
Recorded footage by a support plane crew from maritime rescue NGO Sea-Watch revealed a patrolling unit situating itself between two hardshell dinghies operated by MSF, blocking one, that had begun boarding passengers, from moving toward the distressed ship.
An official from MSF, speaking in a video posted on X (Twitter’s successor), stated the Libyan patrolling unit began performing dangerous manoeuvres, hampering the rigid inflatable boats (RIBs).
In the aircraft footage, one individual is overheard stating that they are trying to intimidate the second RIB; another commented, implying the manoeuvres were extremely perilous.
MSF’s Rome-based search-and-rescue mission leader, Juan Matías Gil, asserted that the Libyan coastguard sought to tow away one of the dinghies. He emphasized that this was not acceptable as the Geo Barents ship sails under the Norwegian flag, hence in international waters, the boat is deemed Norwegian territory. He added that the coastguard’s interference lasted for roughly two hours, even after attempts to communicate in both English and Arabic.
The Libyan Coast Guard, according to international law, should rescue anyone in distress. The standoff ended only after intense discussions and calls to Norwegian, Italian, and Libyan authorities, but not before additional threats were lobbed in their direction, according to the MSF.
People travelling on the vessels were primarily Syrian residents, containing a group of children below the age of 13 as well as unaccompanied minors, noted Gil. The incident unfolded following reports from survivors revealing that approximately 60 individuals had perished in the Mediterranean the previous week having embarked from Zawiya on the Libyan coastline. Survivors, numbering 25, explained their liferaft’s engine malfunctioned after three days, leaving them stranded for a period of time until their rescue by SOS Méditerranée, a non-profit aid organisation.
Due to the recent improvement in weather conditions, there has been a spike in individuals partaking in risky sea voyages within unsuitable crafts across the Mediterranean. Furthermore, on Saturday, the maritime rescue coordination centre in Libya along with the Italian authorities, facilitated Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in saving 75 individuals from an overloaded fibreglass boat that had overturned, resulting in 45 individuals falling into the sea.
Frontex, the EU border agency, reported the most recent statistics indicating that 4,315 individuals completed the journey from north Africa to the EU across the Mediterranean in January and February, with a rise in numbers anticipated in the upcoming weeks. The International Organisation for Migration stated last week that the Mediterranean remains the riskiest passage for refugees and migrants reporting over 3,000 fatalities and disappearances in 2023 and 300 till date this year.
The EU, which offers monetary aid to the Libyan coastguard for training and procurement of boats, asserted that all authorities adhered to international law. A representative of the European Commission declared, “We lack the capability to regulate the actions of individuals. When it comes to search and rescue, it’s evident that it’s everyone’s international obligation and maritime law is explicitly clear. Any actions that jeopardise human lives must always be averted.” Contact has been made with the Libyan representatives in Brussels for their response.