15 Jul 2015

FGS WERRA involved in rescue activity.

On July 15, in the early morning, the Italian Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (I.M.R.C.C.) requested EUNAVFOR MED Task Force operating in the Central Mediterranean to intervene on two possible boats in distress in International waters, northbound the Libyan coast.

The German ship “Werra”, at that moment the nearest EUNAVFOR MED’s asset, reached the area and found two small dinghies, loaded with migrants sailing in troubled conditions.

In accordance with the International Law, stating the obligation to render assistance to those in distress at sea without regard to their nationality, status and circumstances, the Werra, as the other EUNAVFOR MED units ready and equipped to perform the related duties, rescued the migrants.

A total number of 211 migrants were recovered on board and the ship will sail to the disembarkation port of Catania, as determined by the I.M.R.C.C..

On the 22 of June, 2015, the Council launched the EU naval operation against human smugglers and traffickers in the Mediterranean called “EUNAVFOR MED”, with the main focus on disrupting the business model of the smugglers and therefore prevent more innocent people being put at risk.

The operation will be conducted in sequential phases, in full compliance with international law, including humanitarian, refugee law and human rights, and it is part of the EU’s comprehensive approach to migration, tackling both current symptoms and root causes such as conflict, poverty, climate change and persecution.