Rescue ships and migrant smuggling allegations
A rescue team affiliated with the organization "Sea Watch" faces accusations of colluding with human traffickers during a rescue operation in the Mediterranean Sea. In a video, it appears that the migrants were being transferred from one smuggler's boat to another inflatable boat, with claims that five armed traffickers handed over the migrants to the crews. This has sparked Italian investigations and legal proceedings against the Dutch captain suspected of being involved, who could face sentences of up to 20 years. The organization denied any evidence of involvement, explaining that their teams responded to a distress call and that some of the migrants were in critical health conditions. They consider the allegations part of an extremist right-wing smear campaign. This came at the same time as Libyan Coast Guard gunfire targeted the rescue ship, in an incident threatening the crew’s safety. The Mediterranean has seen a rising death toll, with over 35,000 migrant fatalities and missing persons since 2014, including 26,780 migrants drowning in the open sea alone.
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