A Spanish Navy frigate, the Almirante Juan de Borbón, participating in NATO’s Operation Unified Protector, on Sunday rescued approximately 100 migrants who were in a disabled boat that reportedly left Zawiyah, Libya several days ago. The migrants have been without food and water for at least two days. Among the rescued persons are pregnant women and children.
It is not clear where the migrants will now be taken. Some reports indicate that the Spanish Defence Ministry is hoping that Tunisia, Malta, or Italy will receive the migrants. NATO is reportedly seeking a country to accept the migrants. The migrants are reportedly from Libya, Tunisia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Hopefully the migrants will be disembarked quickly (assuming it has not already happened) in an appropriate location where any claims for international protection can be properly considered. It would be problematic if the migrants are required to remain on the Spanish warship for an extended period and if nearby countries refuse to permit the disembarkation.
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Click here and here for Spanish Defence Ministry and Navy press statements. (ES)
These photos were released by the Ministerio de Defensa de España.
Photo Credit: Ministerio de Defensa de España (mde.es)
Photo Credit: Ministerio de Defensa de España (mde.es)
MIGRANTS AT SEA 