SOS MEDITERRANEE

European Organisation for the Rescue of Lives at Sea. Updates from our Search and Rescue operations in the Central Mediterranean #OceanViking #TogetherForRescue

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

Help us keep our eyes in the sky. 🛫

Support the Albatross mission today: https://t.co/GMEEMEjAPN

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

They are now in a Place of Safety. But assigning distant ports means keeping survivors at sea for days after rescue, while removing rescue ships from the Central Mediterranean, where dedicated search and rescue capacity remains urgently needed.

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

68 survivors disembarked last night in Savona, four days after being rescued by the #OceanViking in the Maltese SAR. After surviving the sea, many arrived exhausted and carrying the marks of prolonged abuse, violence and torture endured in Libya.

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

This comes just a few days after the evasive answer issued by the Commission to MEP Özlem Demirel about the LCG opening fire on the #OceanViking.

The #EU is refusing to hold their partners accountable, even in the face of blatant human rights violations
https://t.co/pWlWwI94OD

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

🚨New revelation from #statewatch.

The #EU is expanding its cooperation with Libya’s eastern forces under General Haftar, including training for the coast guard and the establishment of an MRCC in #Benghazi.

A leaked document confirms the agreement. https://t.co/qRTFkR9v84

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

At the same time, the UN mandate for Operation #Irini will not be extended. Haftar’s troops have been proven to be involved in serious human rights violations: torture, kidnapping, and attacks on rescue ships.

The #EU calls this capacity building.

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

The #OceanViking is sailing to the assignedPlace of Safety of Savona, Italy, around 4 days of navigation away from where the rescue was performed. Distant port assignments prolong survivors’ time at sea and keep lifesaving ships away from where they are urgently needed.

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

Despite the dangers of the #CentralMediterranean, people continue to attempt the crossing in overcrowded boats in unseaworthy conditions. Every rescue is a reminder that dedicated search and rescue capacity, as well as safe and predictable rescue mechanisms, are #urgently needed.

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

This morning, the #OceanViking rescued 68 people from an overcrowded fiberglass boat in distress spotted from the bridge, in the #MalteseSAR. Survivors reported spending 24 hours at sea after departing #Libya. Many were found exhausted and dehydrated. They are now safe on board.

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

The Court of Chieti has fully annulled the 20-day administrative detention that had been imposed on our ship in 2023.
Saving lives at sea is an obligation of international maritime law!
Stop criminalizing those who save lives at sea.

https://t.co/4P1sxFbYdm

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

His death is part of a wider reality: 2026 has already seen the deadliest start of the year in a decade in the central #Mediterranean.
These are preventable deaths, the result of political choices that continue to cause loss of life at sea.

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

The 131 people rescued at sea by the #OceanViking disembarked safely in #Ravenna this morning. On the pier, the crew held a ceremony to honour the memory of the person who did not survive, declared dead shortly after arriving on board. We stand with his family and loved ones.

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

Not even the presence of a deceased person on board prompted a more humane response. Even in death, the policy of distant ports continues, prolonging the suffering of exhausted survivors and keeping humanitarian rescue capacity away from the Central Mediterranean.

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

Facing rough seas, the survivors and crew on board #OceanViking are sailing towards #Ravenna, 1350 km away from the area of operations. A closer port was requested, but not granted by the authorities.

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

This is what people go through in #Libya, a dangerous country for them. Another death in 2026: the deadliest start of the year ever recorded in the #Mediterranean, amid EU States’ cooperation with the Libyan coast guard, forcing people back to violence.

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

This morning, the #OceanViking rescued 56 people from an overcrowded white fiberglass boat in distress in the Libyan SRR. One person was found not breathing and brought on board,where our medical team provided emergency medical care. Sadly, shortly after he was declared dead

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

All survivors are now safely on board and receiving assistance. Several suffered from cold stress. According to survivors testimonies, the deceased person had allegedly endured physical violence in #Libya before departure and had been unconscious for hours before the rescue.

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

These 75 people are only alive thanks to the efforts of a humanitarian and a merchant vessel. They were abandoned at sea for 5 days by the authorities, while rescuers, such as @seawatch_intl, are attacked and threatened by the EU-sponsored Libyan coast guard.

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

This morning, #OceanViking rescued 75 people from an overcrowded boat, following a #AlarmPhone alert. The case was spotted by #SeaBird. All survivors are now safe on board. They reportedly spent five days and four nights at sea. Some of them suffered severe #dehydration

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

While the #OceanViking was heading to the boat in distress, the tanker MV KILBURN responded and stayed with it overnight, upholding its duty despite contradictory instructions from Maltese authorities. The same authorities did not coordinate or interact with our ship in any way.

[SOS MEDITERRANEE @SOSMedIntl]

🚨Another civilian rescue ship has been shot at by the Libyan Coast Guard, now targeting @seawatch_intl. All our solidarity with the crew on board

[Sea-Watch International @seawatch_intl]

🔴SHOTS FIRED Our Sea-Watch 5 is being shot at by the EU-funded so-called Libyan coastguard. Our crew just finished rescuing 90 people but Libyan militias are still following us. They expressed the intent to abduct us to Libya!