On Tuesday, an aid group said that armed bandits interrupted a migrant rescue operation conducted by SOS Mediterranee. The incident occurred approximately 46 nautical miles north of Zuwara on Libya’s western coast, a notorious launch point for human smuggling operations to Europe.
During the rescue, SOS Mediterranee volunteers transferred 93 migrants from an overloaded wooden boat onto their rescue vessel. Suddenly, two rubber dinghies approached, and a masked bandit leaped onto the migrant boat. This triggered panic among the migrants, causing many to leap into the sea to escape. The bandit then commandeered the empty boat, steering it away as the SOS Mediterranee crew scrambled to rescue those in the water.
The motives of the bandits remain unclear, but it is suspected they aimed to recover the boat for future smuggling operations. Frequently, Italian maritime authorities sink such vessels to prevent their reuse and ensure maritime safety.
Valeria Taurino, the general director of SOS Mediterranee, emphasized the growing dangers faced by rescue missions due to a lack of government resources. “The lack of rescue vessels left by the states in recent years in the central Mediterranean has generated a reckless increase in armed presence and illegal and dangerous actions for both the fleeing shipwrecked people and aid workers,” Taurino stated.
This incident is one of several reported by humanitarian groups this week, as smugglers exploit the summer’s calm seas. However, Italian authorities have noted a significant decline in the number of migrants arriving by boat this year, with only 27,744 arrivals compared to 72,036 by this time last year. Premier Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government has prioritized limiting migration, implementing measures such as deals with African countries to block departures, restrictions on humanitarian rescue ships, and stringent actions against traffickers.
Libya remains a central hub in the Mediterranean migrant crisis, with its western coast serving as a primary departure point for those attempting the perilous journey to Europe. The increasing presence of armed bandits highlights the escalating dangers in Libyan waters, compounding the challenges faced by both migrants and humanitarian organizations.
