A total of 441 migrants died in the central Mediterranean in the first quarter of 2023, the highest number of deaths recorded since 2017, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) revealed on Wednesday.
According to data from the IOM’s Missing Migrants Project, the increase in the number of deaths in the central Mediterranean occurs when there are reports of delays in the rescue responses led by the countries and also due to the obstacles that are placed on the operations carried out. carried out by non-governmental organization (NGO) search and rescue (SAR) ships in the central Mediterranean.
The IOM has reported that the central Mediterranean route is the most dangerous in the world.
“The persistence of the humanitarian crisis in the central Mediterranean is intolerable,” IOM Director General António Vitorino was quoted as saying in a note.
“With more than 20,000 deaths recorded on this route since 2014, I fear these deaths are normalizing. States must respond. Delays and gaps in state-led search and rescue are costing human lives,” Vitorino said.
Delays in state rescues on the central Mediterranean route were one factor responsible for at least six incidents this year, killing at least 127 people.
The total lack of response to a seventh case led to the deaths of at least 73 migrants, according to the IOM.
Recently, NGO-led search and rescue efforts have slowed down considerably, the organization said.
On March 25, the Libyan Coast Guard fired into the air when the NGO Ocean Viking rescue ship responded to a call for help from a ship in distress.
Subsequently, on March 26, the humanitarian ship Louise Michel -financed by the artist Banksy- was arrested in Italy after rescuing 180 people at sea, repeating the case of the Geo Barents ship -belonging to the NGO Doctors Without Borders- which was seized in February and later released.
Over the Easter weekend, 3,000 migrants arrived in Italy, bringing the total number of arrivals to 31,192 this year.
“Saving lives at sea is a legal obligation of the States,” said Vitorino.
“We need proactive state-led coordination in search and rescue efforts. Guided by the spirit of shared responsibility and solidarity, we call on States to work together to reduce the loss of life on migration routes”, appealed the IOM Director General.
According to the organization, the total of 441 documented deaths in the Central Mediterranean in the first three months of this year must be underestimated.
The Missing Migrants Project is investigating several reports of “invisible” shipwrecks, cases in which vessels are reported missing, but there are no records of survivors, wreckage, or SAR operations. The fate of more than 300 people aboard these ships remains uncertain.
The IOM has affirmed that the worrying situation in the central Mediterranean should encourage States to lead search and rescue operations for people in danger. Countries must also support NGOs working to rescue migrants on this route, as well as end criminalization, obstruction and deterrence of the efforts of those who provide such assistance.
All seagoing vessels, including commercial vessels, have a legal obligation to render assistance to ships in distress.
IOM also calls for more concerted action to dismantle criminal smuggling networks and prosecute those responsible for profiting from the desperation of migrants and refugees by facilitating dangerous journeys.
Source: TSF
