Rome – Italian Authorities Detain MSF Search and Rescue Ship Geo Barents
What happened?
- Italian authorities detained Geo Barents for 60 days citing alleged maritime safety violations.
- The detention order follows rescue operations on 23 August in the Central Mediterranean Sea.
Why was Geo Barents detained?
“The detention order comes after the ship allegedly failed to provide timely information to the Italian Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre,” MSF refutes.
What did MSF say about the accusations?
“EU-supported Libyan Coast Guard, who the Italian authorities consider reliable, has been accused of human rights violations in Libya,” said Juan Matias Gil, MSF representative.
What actions were taken by MSF teams on 23 August?
- Geo Barents conducted five rescue operations including stabilizing and retrieving people from the water.
- MSF teams reacted to people going overboard in the middle of the night.
What is the impact of the detention order?
This is the third time Geo Barents has been detained, under a decree-law impeding NGO search and rescue activities at sea.
“The ship is unable to conduct rescues, worsening the already insufficient search and rescue capacity at sea,” MSF states.
“We urge Italian authorities to release Geo Barents to resume lifesaving missions,” MSF appeals.
Summary: Italian authorities detain MSF’s rescue ship Geo Barents for alleged safety violations following rescue operations in the Central Mediterranean Sea. MSF refutes accusations and calls for the ship’s release to continue lifesaving missions. The detention hinders humanitarian efforts in the dangerous migration route.
Source: www.msf.org