The NGO SOS Mediterranee announced that its vessel, OceanViking, successfully rescued 46 migrants, including women and children, from an overcrowded rubber boat within the Libyan search and rescue zone. According to a statement shared via its official X account, several survivors were found in a severely weakened state due to fuel fume inhalation and are currently recovering under medical supervision on board the rescue ship.
Ocean Viking plucks 126 souls, including children, from the Mediterranean off Libyan shores
This operation follows a period of intense activity in the Central Mediterranean; on January 15, teams responded to an emergency involving 44 individuals who were unable to navigate and showed signs of extreme distress. Furthermore, on January 16, an additional group of 44 people was rescued and transferred to the commercial vessel SIDER, which was bound for Algeria. These incidents highlight the precarious nature of recent crossing attempts and the physical toll on those attempting the journey.
Humanitarian ships rescue over 170 migrants in the Mediterranean
Humanitarian organisations have since urged Italian authorities to fulfil their obligations by providing a place of safety for the survivors to disembark. The NGOs emphasised that rapid response and the timely allocation of safe ports are critical to protecting vulnerable lives in the Mediterranean. They reiterated that the humanitarian situation at sea remains dire, requiring immediate international cooperation to ensure the safety and dignity of those rescued from distressed vessels.