Sea Watch5 with 94 people on board headed to Marina di Carrara: only the most vulnerable disembarked in Lampedusa

Medical evacuation, just before dawn, from the Sea Watch5 ship which, after rescuing two boats, had on board 94 migrants. The government assigned the port of Marina di Carrara to the ship based on the Piantedosi decree. Already yesterday, the NGO, after the first rescue, reported how absurd and difficult it was to reach Tuscany from Sicily with two children, two pregnant women, and people in need of medical assistance on board. These people are exhausted and need to disembark as soon as possible.

This morning, the Cp319 patrol boat of the coast guard boarded nine of the migrants, five women and four minors. They are all Sudanese. After disembarking at Madonnina pier in Lampedusa, one minor was taken to the outpatient clinic where he was hospitalized. Next to him were his mother and sister. Another minor, also hospitalized for hypothermia, was traveling with two relatives, while three others were taken to the hotspot in contrada Imbriacola where there are currently 154 guests. Yesterday, 250 migrants were transferred from the facility. For all the others, the destination of Marina di Carrara has been confirmed.

"The sea conditions have worsened significantly, the temperature has dropped, and the waves have risen - they report from Sea Watch5 - We have had serious medical cases on board. In particular, the condition of a two-year-old girl in severe hypothermia raised fears for her life among the medical staff on board. With terrible weather and high waves, the Italian authorities are imposing a long and exhausting navigation to Marina di Carrara: four days of travel for exhausted people who need medical assistance on land. We request a closer port so as not to violate the rights of those who have already suffered too much."

Thus, the NGO looks to the coming hours in which a rapid deterioration of weather conditions is expected that puts the lives of some boats reported by Alarm Phone in danger. In recent days - concludes the association - a child is missing and a 21-year-old young man arrived dead in Lampedusa. The Italian and European authorities must and can take action to save the lives of people still at sea.