Following the rescue of 93 people in distress at sea in international waters on Sunday, 15 March, the rescue vessel Sea-Watch 5 has been forced to declare a state of necessity due to the acute medical situation and Italy’s violation of international law by denying a place of safety. In this situation, entering a port is the only way to safeguard the fundamental right to life (Article 2 ECHR) of the 57 survivors on board and to prevent further escalation of a medical crisis. After the evacuation of 36 survivors to Italy — including a two-year-old child in life-threatening condition and 23 minors and their families — Italian authorities have been blocking the rescue vessel Sea-Watch 5 off the coast of Sicily since Monday. The authorities had assigned the port of Marina di Carrara in northern Italy to the vessel, which is located more than 1,100 kilometers from the rescue site and would require several days of travel. However, the long distance makes it too dangerous for the rescued persons to continue the journey. Yesterday, the ship’s crew refused to comply with the instructions issued by the Italian authorities.
The survivors on board are suffering from seasickness, exhaustion, and fuel burns, which must be treated under proper clinical conditions to prevent infections and, in the worst case, sepsis. Several patients are receiving medical care for asthma and febrile respiratory infections. A pregnant woman is also on board. Yesterday, the juvenile court in Palermo ruled that all minors and their families must be disembarked at the nearest possible Italian port. Despite the deteriorating conditions, the particular vulnerability of those on board, and the court’s decision, Italian authorities insisted for hours on assigning the distant port, until they ultimately evacuated 27 people in the evening.
Chiara Milanese, Head of Mission of Sea-Watch 5:
“Behind the blockade of the Sea-Watch 5 are real human lives: people with severe fuel burns, a pregnant woman, people who are being denied assistance. When states violate international maritime law to prevent aid from reaching them, our only possibility is resistance. The 57 survivors on board have a right to protection and medical care—and they need it now.”
Sea-Watch is acting because the law requires it. Maritime law, international conventions, and EU regulations oblige the rescue of people in distress at sea and their disembarkation in the nearest place of safety. It is the Italian government that is defying these legal obligations and thereby criminalizing those who do what the state itself is required to do. The German federal government must also urgently advocate for the rescue vessel flying the German flag and for the protection of all people on board.
Further information can be found on our X and Bluesky accounts as well as in our previous press releases.
