At least 60 migrants have died after a rubber boat capsized in the Mediterranean Sea, survivors say.
Ocean Viking, a vessel operated by humanitarian group SOS Méditerranée, picked up the 25 survivors. They told rescuers they had travelled from Zawiya on the Libyan coast seven days before being rescued. After three days, the boat’s engine broke down and they were left without food or water. Survivors said the victims included women and at least one child.
SOS Méditerranée said the Ocean Viking crew spotted the dinghy through binoculars on Wednesday and organised a medical evacuation in cooperation with the Italian coastguard.
The crew said the survivors were in “very poor health” and all were under medical observation.
Two who were unconscious and in a critical condition were flown to Sicily by helicopter for further treatment, the team added.
Last week, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said 2023 was the deadliest year for migrants since record-keeping began a decade ago, with at least 8,565 people killed on migration routes around the world.
