SOS MEDITERRANEE
@sosmediterranee.org
European Organisation for the Rescue of Lives at Sea. Updates from our Search and Rescue operations in the Central Mediterranean #OceanViking #TogetherForRescue
On 15/01, 24 humanitarians will be trialed for rescuing people off at sea, in 2018.
They risk 20 years in prison for doing what is right, and legal.
EU parliament called this “the largest case of criminalisation of solidarity in Europe”.
Solidarity cannot be sanctioned.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
They risk 20 years in prison for doing what is right, and legal.
EU parliament called this “the largest case of criminalisation of solidarity in Europe”.
Solidarity cannot be sanctioned.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
Solidarity on Trial in Greece
Two dozen humanitarian workers face trial on the Greek island of Lesbos this week on baseless felony charges that carry 20 years in prison.
www.hrw.org
January 13, 2026 at 3:41 PM
On 15/01, 24 humanitarians will be trialed for rescuing people off at sea, in 2018.
They risk 20 years in prison for doing what is right, and legal.
EU parliament called this “the largest case of criminalisation of solidarity in Europe”.
Solidarity cannot be sanctioned.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
They risk 20 years in prison for doing what is right, and legal.
EU parliament called this “the largest case of criminalisation of solidarity in Europe”.
Solidarity cannot be sanctioned.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
👇UN communications on the attack by LCG against the #OceanViking are now public.
#Italy & the #EU responded. #Libya has not.
UN Special Rapporteur warns the attack is directly linked to gross human rights violations committed by Libyan authorities against people on the move.
#Italy & the #EU responded. #Libya has not.
UN Special Rapporteur warns the attack is directly linked to gross human rights violations committed by Libyan authorities against people on the move.
Now public: communications to #Libya, #Italy & the #EU on the attack on the Ocean Viking by the Libyan Coast Guard in August 2025, along with responses from Italy & the EU. I remain gravely concerned by the attack & will continue to follow the case.
srdefenders.org/libya-gunfir...
srdefenders.org/libya-gunfir...
Libya: gunfire attack on the Ocean Viking search and rescue vessel by the Libyan Coast Guard (joint communication)
Joint communication sent to the Governments of Libya and Italy, and the EU Delegation in Geneva about the gunfire attack on the Ocean Viking search and rescue vessel by the Libyan Coast Guard on 24 Au...
srdefenders.org
January 9, 2026 at 10:17 AM
👇UN communications on the attack by LCG against the #OceanViking are now public.
#Italy & the #EU responded. #Libya has not.
UN Special Rapporteur warns the attack is directly linked to gross human rights violations committed by Libyan authorities against people on the move.
#Italy & the #EU responded. #Libya has not.
UN Special Rapporteur warns the attack is directly linked to gross human rights violations committed by Libyan authorities against people on the move.
We were less than one hour away.
#OceanViking was ordered to turn back by the LCG while ~60 ppl were in distress at sea.
After the attack this summer, escalating violence forced us to protect our crew & survivors onboard.
Not a failure of rescue. A failure of the SAR system.
#OceanViking was ordered to turn back by the LCG while ~60 ppl were in distress at sea.
After the attack this summer, escalating violence forced us to protect our crew & survivors onboard.
Not a failure of rescue. A failure of the SAR system.
January 5, 2026 at 4:53 PM
We were less than one hour away.
#OceanViking was ordered to turn back by the LCG while ~60 ppl were in distress at sea.
After the attack this summer, escalating violence forced us to protect our crew & survivors onboard.
Not a failure of rescue. A failure of the SAR system.
#OceanViking was ordered to turn back by the LCG while ~60 ppl were in distress at sea.
After the attack this summer, escalating violence forced us to protect our crew & survivors onboard.
Not a failure of rescue. A failure of the SAR system.
33 people have disembarked off the #OceanViking in #Savona this morning. Among them, two families with small children.
We are glad they are finally safe.
We are glad they are finally safe.
January 5, 2026 at 12:33 PM
33 people have disembarked off the #OceanViking in #Savona this morning. Among them, two families with small children.
We are glad they are finally safe.
We are glad they are finally safe.
🔊 “I hope the whole world will be safe and peaceful, nothing more,” says Mohamed, rescued by the #OceanViking after fleeing #Sudan.
@afp.com journalists on board captured the hopes of survivors as the ship sails to the distant port of #Savona.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANfB...
@afp.com journalists on board captured the hopes of survivors as the ship sails to the distant port of #Savona.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANfB...
Rescued migrants share hopes for 2026 from Mediterranean humanitarian ship | AFP
YouTube video by AFP News Agency
www.youtube.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:22 PM
🔊 “I hope the whole world will be safe and peaceful, nothing more,” says Mohamed, rescued by the #OceanViking after fleeing #Sudan.
@afp.com journalists on board captured the hopes of survivors as the ship sails to the distant port of #Savona.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANfB...
@afp.com journalists on board captured the hopes of survivors as the ship sails to the distant port of #Savona.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANfB...
33 survivors on #OceanViking are still waiting to end their ordeal in the distant port of #Savona.
At sea since Christmas Day,they’ll only reach land on 5 Jan.
Deliberately assigning such distant ports needlessly prolongs suffering. Every unnecessary day at sea is one too many.
At sea since Christmas Day,they’ll only reach land on 5 Jan.
Deliberately assigning such distant ports needlessly prolongs suffering. Every unnecessary day at sea is one too many.
January 3, 2026 at 11:29 AM
33 survivors on #OceanViking are still waiting to end their ordeal in the distant port of #Savona.
At sea since Christmas Day,they’ll only reach land on 5 Jan.
Deliberately assigning such distant ports needlessly prolongs suffering. Every unnecessary day at sea is one too many.
At sea since Christmas Day,they’ll only reach land on 5 Jan.
Deliberately assigning such distant ports needlessly prolongs suffering. Every unnecessary day at sea is one too many.
Yesterday, after the recovery of 33 people from #maridive703 ship, Ocean Viking received an alert by @alarmphone.bsky.social of about 60 people on a rubber boat, sheltered by a research ship #EddaFlora.
We had received authorisation from Italian MRCC to alter course and proceed to the case.
We had received authorisation from Italian MRCC to alter course and proceed to the case.
January 1, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Yesterday, after the recovery of 33 people from #maridive703 ship, Ocean Viking received an alert by @alarmphone.bsky.social of about 60 people on a rubber boat, sheltered by a research ship #EddaFlora.
We had received authorisation from Italian MRCC to alter course and proceed to the case.
We had received authorisation from Italian MRCC to alter course and proceed to the case.
We learned from survivors we took onboard from the #Maridive703 vessel that they witnessed another boat with around 75 people stuck under the nearby oil platform.
These people were later taken onboard by Tunisian Coast Guards and brought back where their rights aren't respected.
These people were later taken onboard by Tunisian Coast Guards and brought back where their rights aren't respected.
January 1, 2026 at 1:13 PM
We learned from survivors we took onboard from the #Maridive703 vessel that they witnessed another boat with around 75 people stuck under the nearby oil platform.
These people were later taken onboard by Tunisian Coast Guards and brought back where their rights aren't respected.
These people were later taken onboard by Tunisian Coast Guards and brought back where their rights aren't respected.
1/2 Today,#OceanViking evacuated 33 ppl rescued by #Maridrive703 in the overlapping Maltese-Tunisian SRR,incl. 3 women (1 pregnant) & 3 children.A few are medical cases after a week at sea. Survivors report another group was pushedback to #Tunisia.
December 31, 2025 at 4:10 PM
1/2 Today,#OceanViking evacuated 33 ppl rescued by #Maridrive703 in the overlapping Maltese-Tunisian SRR,incl. 3 women (1 pregnant) & 3 children.A few are medical cases after a week at sea. Survivors report another group was pushedback to #Tunisia.
🚨108 people remain stranded onboard merchant vessel #MARIDIVE703 after 2 rescue operations in the #centralMed. Some were rescued 4 days ago in the Maltese SRR – #Malta must act immediately & assign a safe port. Any delay is inhumane and a blatant violation of maritime law. x.com/alarm_phone/...
@alarmphone on X: "The crew of the Maridive has rescued a second boat in distress, which means that a total of 108 people are stranded on #Maridive703! Two people have reportedly died and several are injured. We call on #Malta and #Italy to end this inhumane situation and finally let them land!! https://t.co/kvwIjWhMIM" / X
The crew of the Maridive has rescued a second boat in distress, which means that a total of 108 people are stranded on #Maridive703! Two people have reportedly died and several are injured. We call on #Malta and #Italy to end this inhumane situation and finally let them land!! https://t.co/kvwIjWhMIM
x.com
December 30, 2025 at 4:27 PM
🚨108 people remain stranded onboard merchant vessel #MARIDIVE703 after 2 rescue operations in the #centralMed. Some were rescued 4 days ago in the Maltese SRR – #Malta must act immediately & assign a safe port. Any delay is inhumane and a blatant violation of maritime law. x.com/alarm_phone/...
Four months after the violent attack we faced by the Libyan Coast Guards, and despite a rise of violence in the Central Mediterranean, our teams onboard the Ocean Viking are going back to do what they do best: Rescue people in distress at sea, protect them, and bear witness.
December 25, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Four months after the violent attack we faced by the Libyan Coast Guards, and despite a rise of violence in the Central Mediterranean, our teams onboard the Ocean Viking are going back to do what they do best: Rescue people in distress at sea, protect them, and bear witness.
On this #InternationalMigrantsDay, we share the testimony of Hamid, a young Eritrean father, seeking dignity and safety, like millions of other people in his situation.
December 18, 2025 at 9:33 AM
On this #InternationalMigrantsDay, we share the testimony of Hamid, a young Eritrean father, seeking dignity and safety, like millions of other people in his situation.
After the violent attack by the Libyan Coast Guard in August which forced a four-month suspension of its operations, the Ocean Viking is about to return to sea.
👉 www.sosmediterranee.org/the-ocean-vi...
👉 www.sosmediterranee.org/the-ocean-vi...
December 16, 2025 at 9:28 AM
After the violent attack by the Libyan Coast Guard in August which forced a four-month suspension of its operations, the Ocean Viking is about to return to sea.
👉 www.sosmediterranee.org/the-ocean-vi...
👉 www.sosmediterranee.org/the-ocean-vi...
Our aerial operation Albatross, in partnership with @hpiswiss.bsky.social confirmed its importance by spotting 4 boats in distress, during 7 flights over the Central Mediterranean.
Through our observations, we have enabled ± 160 people to be rescued.
The mission will resume in early 2026.
Through our observations, we have enabled ± 160 people to be rescued.
The mission will resume in early 2026.
December 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Our aerial operation Albatross, in partnership with @hpiswiss.bsky.social confirmed its importance by spotting 4 boats in distress, during 7 flights over the Central Mediterranean.
Through our observations, we have enabled ± 160 people to be rescued.
The mission will resume in early 2026.
Through our observations, we have enabled ± 160 people to be rescued.
The mission will resume in early 2026.
For four years, SOS MEDITERRANEE and IFRC worked side by side to support people rescued from one of the world’s deadliest sea routes. This partnership managed to get people at risk to a place of safety.
December 9, 2025 at 9:06 AM
For four years, SOS MEDITERRANEE and IFRC worked side by side to support people rescued from one of the world’s deadliest sea routes. This partnership managed to get people at risk to a place of safety.
Yesterday, with Humanitarian Pilots Initiative, #Albatross completed its first operational flight! ✈️
It spotted two empty boats likely intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guard, and later a boat in distress with around 40 people, later rescued by @en.sea-watch.org’s Aurora. ❤️
It spotted two empty boats likely intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guard, and later a boat in distress with around 40 people, later rescued by @en.sea-watch.org’s Aurora. ❤️
November 13, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Yesterday, with Humanitarian Pilots Initiative, #Albatross completed its first operational flight! ✈️
It spotted two empty boats likely intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guard, and later a boat in distress with around 40 people, later rescued by @en.sea-watch.org’s Aurora. ❤️
It spotted two empty boats likely intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guard, and later a boat in distress with around 40 people, later rescued by @en.sea-watch.org’s Aurora. ❤️
We’re back up and watching from above! ✈️
SOS MEDITERRANEE is launching Albatross, a new aerial monitoring mission with Humanitarian Pilots Initiative. From the sky, we’ll document boats in distress at sea and human rights violations.
Support Albatross today: www.sosmediterranee.org/albatross-a-...
SOS MEDITERRANEE is launching Albatross, a new aerial monitoring mission with Humanitarian Pilots Initiative. From the sky, we’ll document boats in distress at sea and human rights violations.
Support Albatross today: www.sosmediterranee.org/albatross-a-...
November 6, 2025 at 2:23 PM
We’re back up and watching from above! ✈️
SOS MEDITERRANEE is launching Albatross, a new aerial monitoring mission with Humanitarian Pilots Initiative. From the sky, we’ll document boats in distress at sea and human rights violations.
Support Albatross today: www.sosmediterranee.org/albatross-a-...
SOS MEDITERRANEE is launching Albatross, a new aerial monitoring mission with Humanitarian Pilots Initiative. From the sky, we’ll document boats in distress at sea and human rights violations.
Support Albatross today: www.sosmediterranee.org/albatross-a-...
Off the coast of #Tunisia, 40 people seeking safety, including mothers, fathers and babies have tragically drowned. 💔
Once again, the #Mediterranean claims lives that could have been saved.
We must act now to prevent more deaths.
🔗: www.bbc.com/news/article...
Once again, the #Mediterranean claims lives that could have been saved.
We must act now to prevent more deaths.
🔗: www.bbc.com/news/article...
October 23, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Off the coast of #Tunisia, 40 people seeking safety, including mothers, fathers and babies have tragically drowned. 💔
Once again, the #Mediterranean claims lives that could have been saved.
We must act now to prevent more deaths.
🔗: www.bbc.com/news/article...
Once again, the #Mediterranean claims lives that could have been saved.
We must act now to prevent more deaths.
🔗: www.bbc.com/news/article...
Days after the agreement by Italy to pursue its funding of deadly Libyan Coast Guard, at least 3 people lost their lives in two shipwrecks off Lampedusa.
20 people are missing and feared dead.
They seek safety and find violence or death at sea.
#EU must stop its complicity.
👉 tinyurl.com/2s3r62tj
20 people are missing and feared dead.
They seek safety and find violence or death at sea.
#EU must stop its complicity.
👉 tinyurl.com/2s3r62tj
Dozens feared dead in the latest Mediterranean shipwreck spark protests in Rome
Dozens of migrants are reported to be missing and feared dead after a boat that capsized off the coast of the Italian island of Lampedusa. The news triggered protests in Rome over the controversial It...
www.infomigrants.net
October 20, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Days after the agreement by Italy to pursue its funding of deadly Libyan Coast Guard, at least 3 people lost their lives in two shipwrecks off Lampedusa.
20 people are missing and feared dead.
They seek safety and find violence or death at sea.
#EU must stop its complicity.
👉 tinyurl.com/2s3r62tj
20 people are missing and feared dead.
They seek safety and find violence or death at sea.
#EU must stop its complicity.
👉 tinyurl.com/2s3r62tj
Once again, an opportunity to break the cycle of suffering at sea has been missed by the Italian government.
With the #Italy-#Libya deal set to continue, so will the violations and forced returns.
We remain committed to protecting people on the move. Lives depend on it.
With the #Italy-#Libya deal set to continue, so will the violations and forced returns.
We remain committed to protecting people on the move. Lives depend on it.
October 17, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Once again, an opportunity to break the cycle of suffering at sea has been missed by the Italian government.
With the #Italy-#Libya deal set to continue, so will the violations and forced returns.
We remain committed to protecting people on the move. Lives depend on it.
With the #Italy-#Libya deal set to continue, so will the violations and forced returns.
We remain committed to protecting people on the move. Lives depend on it.
On 05/09, Italian authorities grounded @PVolontaires’ Colibri 2 for 20 days and fined them €100,000 - for upholding maritime law & help saving lives.
It further restricts already limited rescue capacity in the Central Mediterranean.
A grounded aircraft means more lives lost.
It further restricts already limited rescue capacity in the Central Mediterranean.
A grounded aircraft means more lives lost.
September 17, 2025 at 3:24 PM
On 05/09, Italian authorities grounded @PVolontaires’ Colibri 2 for 20 days and fined them €100,000 - for upholding maritime law & help saving lives.
It further restricts already limited rescue capacity in the Central Mediterranean.
A grounded aircraft means more lives lost.
It further restricts already limited rescue capacity in the Central Mediterranean.
A grounded aircraft means more lives lost.
We're working to get back to sea - because people are still risking everything, and their stories must be heard. With rescue ships detained and silenced, we’re one of the last witnesses out there. Today, we share the story of Samir and Sonia:
youtu.be/b6onx1Thffo
youtu.be/b6onx1Thffo
From Eritrea to Tripoli: Survival Amid Conflict and Discrimination
YouTube video by SOS MEDITERRANEE
youtu.be
September 17, 2025 at 9:58 AM
We're working to get back to sea - because people are still risking everything, and their stories must be heard. With rescue ships detained and silenced, we’re one of the last witnesses out there. Today, we share the story of Samir and Sonia:
youtu.be/b6onx1Thffo
youtu.be/b6onx1Thffo
The attacks on the Ocean Viking by the Libyan Coast Guard on 24/08 caused significant material damage to the ship and rescue equipment.
Our operations will be on hold until we are fully ready to resume our life-saving mission and after assessing how we can go back at sea safely.
Our operations will be on hold until we are fully ready to resume our life-saving mission and after assessing how we can go back at sea safely.
September 15, 2025 at 3:11 PM
The attacks on the Ocean Viking by the Libyan Coast Guard on 24/08 caused significant material damage to the ship and rescue equipment.
Our operations will be on hold until we are fully ready to resume our life-saving mission and after assessing how we can go back at sea safely.
Our operations will be on hold until we are fully ready to resume our life-saving mission and after assessing how we can go back at sea safely.
"In a sea of silence, abandonment and violence, they offer the rarest thing: someone is still looking for you. […]
That your life matters."
Journalist @alexhowl.bsky.social was onboard the #OceanViking during 2 rescues and the shootings by Libyan Coast Guard. 👇
www.service95.com/the-reality-...
That your life matters."
Journalist @alexhowl.bsky.social was onboard the #OceanViking during 2 rescues and the shootings by Libyan Coast Guard. 👇
www.service95.com/the-reality-...
The Reality Of Europe’s Border Crisis: This Is Life Onboard Migrant Rescue Ships
It was late afternoon, the heat thick and unmoving, when the call came through. I was the only journalist aboard the Ocean Viking, a search-and-rescue ship patrolling the Central Mediterranean, wh
www.service95.com
September 12, 2025 at 2:50 PM
"In a sea of silence, abandonment and violence, they offer the rarest thing: someone is still looking for you. […]
That your life matters."
Journalist @alexhowl.bsky.social was onboard the #OceanViking during 2 rescues and the shootings by Libyan Coast Guard. 👇
www.service95.com/the-reality-...
That your life matters."
Journalist @alexhowl.bsky.social was onboard the #OceanViking during 2 rescues and the shootings by Libyan Coast Guard. 👇
www.service95.com/the-reality-...