The German Frigate Mecklenburg-Vorpommern rescues at sea 140 migrants
Yesterday 11 December 2016, the Luxembourgish Maritime Patrol Aircraft Merlin III spotted two rubber boats.
After reporting this information to the Force Headquarters on board the mission flagship, ITS Garibaldi, as directed by the Italian Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (IMRCC), the Force Commander ordered the German vessel Mecklenburg-Vorpommern towards the two rubber boats. The rescue operation was successfully completed and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern saved 140 migrants. Among them, 18 women and 4 children.
As directed, the German frigate delivered to the Italian Coast Guard 135 migrants, but since one Nigerian woman on board was heavily pregnant and complained already about her pains, herself, her husband and their three kids (as indicated by her) remained on board the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in order to assure proper medical support. In order to assure the best medical support, the doctors on board Mecklenburg-Vorpommern were in constant contact with the German Armed Forces Hospital and the University Charité Clinic, both in Berlin. After the analysis of the prevailing symptoms, the medical team decided to conduct an emergency C-section operation.
Whereas, the life of the mother could be saved, the death of the child was determined at 20:18. During the birth, there was no sign of life of the child and the re-animation attempts remained unsuccessful.
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been prosecuted by the Italian authorities and 358 boats have been prevented from being re-used by smugglers. Nonetheless, more than 30.200 lives were saved at sea.