The German NGO, Sea-Watch, says it has rescued 356 people from the Mediterranean during the past few days, 85 of whom were picked up near the Libyan coast.
Sea-Watch said that on May 29, it received a report regarding a boat in distress within Libya's search and rescue zone, with over 80 people onboard.
According to the organization, the sailing vessel NADIR of the organization RESQSHIP first reached the position of the boat and was able to provide the people with life jackets, before they were picked up by Sea-Watch’s rescue ship AURORA and brought safely on board.
Sea-Watch highlighted that all search and rescue operations are carried out by NOG vessels with no response or help from the relevant European authorities.
According to the International Organization for Migration, nearly 800 people have died or gone missing at sea since the beginning of this year, while the number of unreported cases is likely to be much higher.
