Urgent Call for Rescue as Over 30 Migrants Stranded on Oil Rig Off Tunisia

More than 30 migrants, including two children, are stranded on an oil rig off Tunisia and have not eaten for days. The charity Sea-Watch reported the situation, stating one migrant has died and others are sick. The migrants originally fled from Libya, prompting calls for immediate rescue efforts from European authorities, amidst ongoing criticism of European migration policies.

Over thirty migrants, including two children, have reportedly been stranded on an oil rig near Tunisia for three days, facing urgent need for assistance, according to the charity Sea-Watch. A reconnaissance aircraft operated by Sea-Watch located the group on the Miskar oil platform, with a deflated rubber dinghy observed nearby. The charity confirmed that the migrants were huddled in blankets on the platform’s deck, attempting to protect themselves from adverse weather conditions.

Alarm Phone, a support network for sea migrants, communicated with the stranded individuals on Sunday, where it was disclosed that one migrant had died and that several others were unwell. It was reported that the group had not consumed food for several days. Sea-Watch revealed that these migrants had initially fled from Libya, emphasizing the urgent need for European authorities to orchestrate a swift rescue.

European nations, aiming to control irregular migration, have established agreements with Tunisia and Libya to intercept and repatriate migrants at sea. This approach has faced considerable backlash from human rights organizations, which criticize these measures as inadequate and potentially dangerous for those seeking refuge at sea.

In summary, over thirty migrants remain stranded on a Tunisian oil rig, facing dire conditions, including illness and lack of food. Despite pleas for urgent assistance from humanitarian organizations, European policies seek to prevent irregular migration through repatriation agreements, raising significant ethical concerns about the treatment of migrants in distress. Immediate action is required to address this humanitarian crisis.

Original Source: www.sowetanlive.co.za