This publication reported yesterday that the Ocean Viking ship rescued 60 migrants from the Libya Search and Rescue Region after their dinghy of more than 100 people capsized after nearly a week at sea. Reportedly on their return to Italy, the same vessel encountered another migrant vessel, this one a double-decker boat carrying 135 people. All migrants were rescued and boarded the Ocean Viking. The vessel now is carrying 359 shipwrecked migrants to Ancona, Italy.
Ieri sera #OceanViking ha salvato 135 persone, tra cui una donna incinta e 8 bambini, da una barca a due piani in zona SAR maltese. Stiamo assistendo 359 naufraghi, sulla rotta per Ancona. Una navigazione così lunga non dovrebbe mai essere imposta alle persone soccorse in mare. pic.twitter.com/eDxsOnl6Ic
— SOS MEDITERRANEE ITA (@SOSMedItalia) March 15, 2024
On 21 July 2019 SOS Méditerranée announced a new rescue campaign off the Libyan coast, using a cargo ship, the Ocean Viking. The approach is supported by the Norwegian authorities, who have given the vessel a flag. The operation costs € 14,000 per day.
