The German ship Sea Watch 4 has sailed on its first trip in the Mediterranean to receive migrants facing the risk of drowning off the Libyan coast.
Press sources indicated on Monday that the main goal behind Germany’s participation in these operations is to monitor the causes and structures of human trafficking taking place near the Libyan coast.
The spokesperson for the German Interior Ministry has confirmed that Germany intends to participate in rescue operations. He pointed out that the maritime rescue is “a humanitarian and international legal obligation.”