New refugee rescue mission in Mediterranean

A new sea rescue operation is to be launched in May to try to reduce the number of refugees, migrants and asylum seekers killed making the treacherous crossing from Africa to Europe, medical charity Medecins sans Frontieres and the Migrant Offshore Aid Station said on Thursday.

Last year was the deadliest on record when more than 3,400 people died trying to cross the Mediterranean, said Medecins sans Frontieres.

This year, the death toll is expected to be even higher, it added.

There is less help available for boats in distress since the Italian navy’s search and rescue operation, Mare Nostrum, closed down in November last year because of a lack of funds.

Hundreds have already died this year, including 29 migrants who died of hypothermia in February aboard Italian coastguard vessels after being picked up from a boat adrift near Libya.

“We will do everything in our power to ensure that those who feel compelled to undertake this treacherous sea crossing in makeshift vessels do not drown,” said the Migrant Offshore Aid Station director Martin Xuereb.

The international organisation devoted to preventing catastrophes at sea, was founded by entrepreneurs Christopher and Regina Catrambone. Last year it rescued 3,000 people.

“Europe has turned its back on people fleeing some of the worst humanitarian crises of our time,” said Medecins sans Frontieres general director Arjan Hehenkamp .

The crossings are organised by criminal gangs operating mostly from Libya.

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