The Geo Barents humanitarian vessel operated by NGO Doctors without Borders rescued 55 migrants and refugees in distress in waters off Libya on Thursday.
The group included 43 unaccompanied minors and two women. The ship intervened after Sea Bird, the reconnaissance aircraft operated by Sea Watch that spots migrant boats in distress in the central Mediterranean, raised the alarm.
The Italian authorities have instructed the Geo Barents to navigate to the Puglia regional capital of Bari for disembarkation.
Doctors without Borders reported that during the rescue operation the Libyan Coast Guard approached the ship and ordered it to leave the area.
The crew identified the patrol boat as “number 662, donated by Italy”.
“The Libyan patrol boat continued to follow the Geo Barents for some time, frightening the rescued people on board,” said Doctors without Borders.
🟢 MSF team onboard the #GeoBarents rescued 55 people, including 2 women and 43 unaccompanied minors. The alert was sent by #SeaBird, the humanitarian aircraft from @seawatch_intl. pic.twitter.com/GIxJTZrAsB
— MSF Sea (@MSF_Sea) August 17, 2023