The European border control agency Frontex reconstructs the tragedy that cost the lives of at least 61 migrants.
When the Frontex plane arrived in the area where the boat capsized and sank off the coast of Libya , in international waters, «it identified a partially deflated rubber dinghy. Most of the people were found in the water. They were in grave danger due to adverse weather conditions, with waves reaching heights of 2.5 metres."
The alert came from the Italian rescue coordination center. «On the night between 14 and 15 December - states a note - Frontex was engaged in a crucial search and rescue operation, providing support in an area close to Libyan territorial waters, within the Libyan rescue zone. The action followed an urgent alert from the Italian rescue coordination centre."
Frontex sent a Mayday Relay to all nearby ships and informed the Libyan rescue coordination centre, as well as rescue centers in Italy, Malta and Tunisia. Further support was provided sending another Frontex aircraft to assist the commercial ships that had responded to the request for assistance and to continue the search for survivors despite the difficult weather conditions.
«It is with a heavy heart – concludes the agency – that we must recognize the probability that, although 25 people are said to have been saved, many lives were lost in this accident . This tragic event highlights the dangerous nature of such voyages and reinforces the need for collective efforts to address challenges at sea . Frontex remains steadfast in its commitment to support search and rescue operations, working in close collaboration with Member States and international partners. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected at this difficult time. We also want to thank the crews of the ships that came to the rescue."
(Unioneonline/D)
