Suicide attempts, fights aboard rescue boat carrying 180 migrantsIn limbo off LampedusaABOARD THE OCEAN VIKING IN THE MEDITERRANEAN - After suicide attempts, fights erupting on board, and migrants jumping into the sea, charity SOS Mediterranee launched an emergency alert on Friday, demanding to be allowed to immediately disembark at a safe port. Tensions have risen in the past week, as witnessed by an AFP reporter aboard the boat, as migrants have become increasingly desperate to reach land. A member of the crew, Ludovic, told AFP he had never witnessed such violence on board a rescue vessel, after a spate of fights between migrants and threats of suicide. Italy responded with the telephone number of a psychologist, SOS Mediterranee said. - No answer -At times, all the members of the SOS Mediterranee rescue team have been on deck in order to calm tense situations.

Source: Bangkok Post July 03, 2020 20:15 UTC