Following the rescue of 56 people from distress at sea in international waters on March 6, 2024, a 17-year-old boy on board had to be resuscitated after suffering a cardiac arrest. Just over two hours later, he could no longer be helped and died on board. The crew of the Sea-Watch 5 had previously requested a medical evacuation for him and other rescued people from several state rescue centers, but this was refused. Four survivors on board are in critical medical condition and are awaiting evacuation.
During the rescue of 56 people from an overcrowded wooden boat, crew members discovered several people below deck, four of whom were unconscious. According to survivors, they had been exposed to oxygen deprivation and gasoline fumes for about 10 hours. A 17-year-old boy suffered a cardiac arrest on board the Sea-Watch 5 and was initially resuscitated. At 15:05 UTC, he had to be pronounced dead by the doctors on board. Four other rescued people are still in a critical condition.
As early as 13:00 UTC, the crew of the Sea-Watch urged the relevant authorities to medically evacuate the patients. All coastal states were alerted, but neither Italy, Malta, nor Tunisia initiated an evacuation or took over the coordination.
As of now (19:00 UTC), four survivors on board the Sea-Watch 5 are in critical condition, with others suffering from dehydration and burns. There is still no help from the authorities.
Hugo Grenier, Head of Operations on board the Sea-Watch 5: “We are sad and angry. Europe’s isolationist policy has claimed another victim on board our ship. Despite hours of pleas for a medical evacuation, no coastal state has responded to our request”.
“It is intolerable how EU states are shirking their responsibility. Authorities are quick and effective when blocking civil rescue efforts but inactive when it comes to life and death in the Mediterranean,” says Giulia Messmer, spokesperson for Sea-Watch.
