23 dead, 400 stranded in Malta’s search and rescue area

Sea Watch International has accused Malta of instructing a cargo ship to give fuel to a boat carrying 400 people instead of coordinating rescue.

On Sunday, the search and rescue NGO said its spotter plane had found the boat in distress.

The boat, Sea Watch said, was in “huge danger”, struggling in 1.5m high waves.

Image: The boat carrying 400 migrants – Sea Watch

On Monday, the NGO reported that the Italian coast guard had set out to rescue the migrants.

“Malta must be held accountable for the ruthless ignorance. Preventing the rescue of people for political calculation must be punished!”, the NGO insisted.

Update 21:00

In an update issued by the NGO Alarm Phone on Monday evening, it said it received reports about four unconcious women and others “ready to jump overboard” as the Italian cost guard had not arrived at the vessel.

Over 8hrs since we were told IT CG are on their way, the 400 people are still at sea. They report 4 women unconscious. Others are ready to jump overboard. Everyone is desperate. How much longer must they wait? Authorities are violating the law. #Italy #Malta pic.twitter.com/10O0qg2ryW

— Alarm Phone (@alarm_phone) April 10, 2023

Lampedusa centre jam-packed

Around 974 individuals from 26 boats were brought to Lampedusa on Easter Sunday, after the arrival of 679 individuals on 17 boats on Saturday.

The migrants’ centre in Lampedusa is currently hosting some 1,890 people – at a maximum capacity of less than 400.

23 drowned in Malta SAR

At least 23 people have drowned in Malta’s search and rescue area when a boat carrying around 50 individuals shipwrecked in a separate incident.

Italian media have accused Malta of abdicating from its search and rescue responsibilities when boats in distress are not being assisted.