A German civilian rescue group, RESQSHIP, saved 47 migrants stranded on a disused oil rig in Libya's search and rescue zone on Tuesday. The group had been adrift on the Didon platform for about 10 hours before the organisation's vessel reached them. All were brought safely on board, with no interference from a Libyan coastguard speed boat that arrived during the operation. RESQSHIP reported that its crew later responded to a separate distress call in Tunisian waters, rescuing 43 more people from two unseaworthy vessels after coordination with Tunisian authorities. The 90 total survivors, including a pregnant woman, minors, two toddlers and a baby, were transported to Lampedusa, described as the nearest place of safety. RESQSHIP board member Lina von Dobschütz stated that this year has been the "deadliest since records began" for migrants attempting the Mediterranean crossing to the European Union. She added, "The fact that we had to provide assistance on three consecutive missions tonight only serves to highlight just how urgently our work is needed along the refugee routes." Italy remains a primary entry point for migrants due to its geographic proximity to North Africa. According to UN data, 1,126 people died or went missing last year on the route, though the actual number is believed to be higher.
RESQSHIP had to conduct three rescue missions in one night while Libyan and European authorities maintained radio silence on the fate of those stranded. If the start of the year is already the deadliest on record, the absence of state-led emergency response leaves civilians to bear the burden of survival. Ninety lives were saved only because a non-state vessel happened to be present and operational. The proximity of Italy to Africa makes it a frontline state, yet the burden falls entirely on volunteer crews.
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