438 Migrants Rescued in Mediterranean

The organization that manages it, SOS Mediterranee, stated on Friday that the rescue ship Ocean Viking had helped 438 migrants in need in the Mediterranean over the previous two days.

According to the France-based NGO, the rescue operations took place in international seas off the shores of Tunisia and Libya.

The NGO claimed earlier in the day that it had "rescued 272 people" of 23 different countries from three boats in the central Mediterranean on Thursday. The central Mediterranean is the most dangerous maritime crossing in the world for migrants.

According to the organization, situated in Marseille on the French Mediterranean, "32 unaccompanied minors, nine babies, and five people with disabilities" were among those saved.

Later Friday, it said it had rescued another 166 people when it "went to the aid of a number of boats in distress".

Those onboard were evacuated "in coordination with the Italian coast guards in the search and rescue area between Tunisia and Lampedusa".

Many migrants intending to undertake the perilous sea trek from North Africa to Europe make their first stop on the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa, which is only 90 miles (145 kilometers) from Tunisia.

According to SOS Mediteranee, there are presently "438 rescued people on board."

The organization stated that the Ocean Viking was "heading towards Genoa" in northern Italy since the local government had instructed them to sail there in order to discharge the migrants.

Attempts to cross the central Mediterranean have resulted in at least 2,013 deaths or missing persons so far this year, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Source: AFP