The #EU must cease cooperation with the Libyan Coast Guard, whose repeated violence prevents lifesaving operations.

With no coordination, no SAR plan, and a failure to uphold maritime law from competent authorities people are being left at sea without assistance.

All these hurdles are a distortion of international law, designed to hinder rescue in the #CentralMediterranean.
This needs to stop.
The sea needs to be treated as a humanitarian space.

All the people have survived hardship at home and in Libya, over 24 hours on a rubber boat, days onboard the #Maridive703 vessel, abandoned by all competent authorities, an evacuation onto the #OceanViking and if that was not enough, a 4 day journey to disembark in northern Italy.

While only 15NM from the distress case, we were ordered by the Libyan Coast Guards to leave the area, forcing us to contravene our obligation to assist, despite urgent requests from #EddaFlora vessel, and no SAR plan.

Who feels responsible for these lives?

The Tunisian vessel then approached survivors previously rescued by #Maridive703 crew and attempted to bring them to Tunisia against their will.

We thank the Maridive crew for rescuing the people, respecting Intl. law & letting them be brought to a Place of Safety instead.

2/2 This operation was coordinated by the Tunisian RCC, the Maltese authorities remained unresponsive, again failing to uphold their obligations under international maritime law. As the year closes, lives in the Mediterranean continue to be abandoned & responsibilities go unmet.

In our absence, human rights violations have continued without impunity, and 299+ people lost their life in our area of operation only in October and November.

We have found resilience, and acted accordingly.
Our commitment remains unwavering.
No bullet can stop solidarity.

Our teams have worked relentlessly to restore the vessel, to reinforce security training, and update operational procedures to ensure a safe return to sea without compromising our rescue capacity.

Your support is needed!

Now, due to financial constraints, @ifrc.org must end its mission onboard the Ocean Viking.

We are preparing to return to sea with our own medical and protection teams, we need your support more than ever. You can be part of this lifesaving work by contributing to our mission.

"With outreach activities, we can save many more lives by reaching a wider audience." explains Max, External training and Outreach Manager at @sosmediterranee.org

Learn more about how we are helping others to save more lives at sea: www.sosmediterranee.org/launching-ou...