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Valeria Mongelli

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Valeria Mongelli

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13 images Created 8 Jul 2022

Aboard the Sea-Watch 3: Chronicle of a rescue at the gates of Europe

In the 28 hours between 17 and 18 October 2021, the humanitarian ship Sea-Watch 3 rescued 412 migrants from seven different boats in distress in the central Mediterranean, just a few miles off the Libyan coast. Many of them were women, children, and teenagers fleeing the tortures of Libyan detention centers. During one of the rescues, the dinghy started losing air and suddenly deflated, causing dozens of people to fall into the water. The crew of Sea-Watch 3 managed to get everyone to safety before the Libyan coast guard arrived on the scene.

This is fortuitous, as 2021 has been the deadliest year in the central Mediterranean since 2018. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 23,368 people have been reported missing while trying to cross the Mediterranean since 2014. Frontex, the European Union's coastguard and border guard agency, recorded 6,240 illegal entries from the central Mediterranean in the first 10 months of 2021, 186% more than in 2019.

Recently, Frontex's role in managing migration flows has been heavily criticized. International investigative inquiries (Der Spiegel, Bellingcat) suggest that Frontex violates international maritime laws and actively participates in migrant pushbacks in cooperation with the Libyan coastguard. In 2021, EU funding to Frontex increased by 49% compared to 2020. NGOs working in the Mediterranean, including Sea-Watch, are calling for these funds to be diverted to an EU-coordinated rescue program in the Mediterranean. At stake are the lives of thousands of people who keep trying their chance at sea, risking their lives at the gates of Europe.

Different versions of this story have been published in El País and Ereb:
https://elpais.com/planeta-futuro/2022-02-21/atrapados-entre-el-frontex-y-la-guardia-costera-libia-los-migrantes-luchan-por-sobrevivir-a-las-puertas-de-europa.html
https://ereb.eu/story/on-board-sea-watch-3-scenes-from-a-rescue-operation/
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  • Mediterranean Sea, Mid-Sea, 2021/10/18. A group of migrants from a precarious rubber boat ends in the water around 35 miles away from Libya, in Libyan SAR zone, before being rescued by the crew of the humanitarian rescue ship Sea-Watch 3. The NGO rescued 412 people from seven different boats in distress in the last 28 hours. Photograph by Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.<br />
Mer Mediterranee, Mid-Sea, 2021/10/18. Un group de migrants sur un bateau gonflable precaire finit dans l eau a a peu pres 30 miles de la Libye, dans la SAR zone de la Libye, avant d etre sauve par l equipage du navire humanitaire Sea Watch 3. La ONG a secouru 412 migrants sur sept bateaux en detresse differents dans les dernieres 28 heures. Photographie de Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.
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  • Mediterranean Sea, Mid-Sea, 2021/10/17. A group of migrants from different nationalities, mainly Libya, Syria, and Morocco is seen aboard a precarious wooden boat around 30 miles away from Libya, in Libyan SAR zone, before being rescued by the crew of the humanitarian rescue ship Sea-Watch 3. The NGO rescued 120 people on two different boats in distress today. Photograph by Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.<br />
Mer Mediterranee, Mid-Sea, 2021/10/17. Un group de migrants de nationalites differentes, surtout Libye, Sirie et Maroc, est vu sur un bateau en bois precaire a peu pres 30 miles de la Libye, dans la SAR zone de la Libye, avant d etre sauve par l equipage du navire humanitaire Sea Watch 3. La ONG a secouru 120 migrants sur deux bateaux en detresse differents aujourd hui. Photographie de Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.
    2_IMG_0374.JPG
  • Mediterranean Sea, Mid-Sea, 2021/10/18. A group of migrants is seen aboard a precarious rubber boat around 35 miles away from Libya, in Libyan SAR zone, before being rescued by the crew of the humanitarian rescue ship Sea-Watch 3. The NGO rescued 412 people from seven different boats in distress in the last 28 hours. Photograph by Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.<br />
Mer Mediterranee, Mid-Sea, 2021/10/18. Un group de migrants est vu sur un bateau gonflable precaire a a peu pres 30 miles de la Libye, dans la SAR zone de la Libye, avant d etre sauve par l equipage du navire humanitaire Sea Watch 3. La ONG a secouru 412 migrants sur sept bateaux en detresse differents dans les dernieres 28 heures. Photographie de Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.
    3_IMG_9441.JPG
  • Mediterranean Sea, Mid-Sea, 2021/10/18. A group of migrants from a precarious rubber boat ends in the water around 30 miles away from Libya, in Libyan SAR zone, before being rescued by the crew of the humanitarian rescue ship Sea-Watch 3. The NGO rescued 412 people from seven different boats in distress in the last 28 hours. Photograph by Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.<br />
Mer Mediterranee, Mid-Sea, 2021/10/18. Un group de migrants sur un bateau gonflable precaire finit dans l eau a a peu pres 30 miles de la Libye, dans la SAR zone de la Libye, avant d etre sauve par l equipage du navire humanitaire Sea Watch 3. La ONG a secouru 412 migrants sur sept bateaux en detresse differents dans les dernieres 28 heures. Photographie de Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.
    4_IMG_9479.JPG
  • Mediterranean Sea, Mid-Sea, 2021/10/18. A group of migrants from a precarious rubber boat ends in the water around 30 miles away from Libya, in Libyan SAR zone, before being rescued by the crew of the humanitarian rescue ship Sea-Watch 3. The NGO rescued 412 people from seven different boats in distress in the last 28 hours. Photograph by Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.<br />
Mer Mediterranee, Mid-Sea, 2021/10/18. Un group de migrants sur un bateau gonflable precaire finit dans l eau a a peu pres 30 miles de la Libye, dans la SAR zone de la Libye, avant d etre sauve par l equipage du navire humanitaire Sea Watch 3. La ONG a secouru 412 migrants sur sept bateaux en detresse differents dans les dernieres 28 heures. Photographie de Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.
    5_IMG_9469.JPG
  • Mediterranean Sea, Mid-Sea, 2021/10/18. A couple of migrants who was on a precarious rubber boat and ended up in the water is rescued by the crew of the humanitarian rescue ship Sea-Watch and hugs on the rhib of the ngo. The NGO rescued 412 people from seven different boats in distress in the last 28 hours in Libyan SAR zone, around 30 miles away from Libya. Photograph by Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.<br />
Mer Mediterranee, Mid-Sea, 2021/10/18. Un couple de migrants qui etaient sur un bateau gonflable precaire et qui etaient finis dans l eau est secourue par l equipage du navire humanitaire Sea Watch 3 et s embrasse sur le rhib de l ong. La ONG a secouru 412 migrants sur sept bateaux en detresse differents dans les dernieres 28 heures dans la SAR zone de la Libye, a a peu pres 30 miles de la Libye. Photographie de Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.
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  • Mediterranean Sea, Mid-Sea, 2021/10/18. Migrants who were on a precarious rubber boat and have been rescued by the crew of the humanitarian rescue ship Sea-Watch wait to be embarked on the mother ship. The NGO rescued 412 people from seven different boats in distress in the last 28 hours n Libyan SAR zone, around 30 miles away from Libya. Photograph by Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.<br />
Mer Mediterranee, Mid-Sea, 2021/10/18. Des migrants qui etaient sur un bateau gonflable precaire et ont ete secourus par l equipage du navire humanitaire Sea Watch 3 attendent d etre embarques sur le navire. La ONG a secouru 412 migrants sur sept bateaux en detresse differents dans les dernieres 28 heures dans la SAR zone de la Libye, a a peu pres 30 miles de la Libye. Photographie de Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.
    7_IMG_9701.JPG
  • Mediterranean Sea, Mid-Sea, 2021/10/18. A migrant who was rescued by the crew of the humanitarian rescue ship Sea-Watch is embarked on the ship Sea Watch 3. The NGO rescued 412 people from seven different boats in distress in the last 28 hours in Libyan SAR zone, around 30 miles away from Libya. Photograph by Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.<br />
Mer Mediterranee, Mid-Sea, 2021/10/18. Un migrant qui a ete secouru par l equipage du navire humanitaire Sea Watch 3 est embarque sur le navire Sea Watch 3. La ONG a secouru 412 migrants sur sept bateaux en detresse differents dans les dernieres 28 heures dans la SAR zone de la Libye, a a peu pres 30 miles de la Libye. Photographie de Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.
    8_IMG_9623.JPG
  • Mediterranean Sea, Mid-Sea, 2021/10/21. Migrants sleep on the deck of Sea-Watch 3. The NGO rescued 412 people from seven different boats in distress in the last 28 hours in Libyan SAR zone, around 30 miles away from Libya. Photograph by Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.<br />
Mer Mediterranee, Mid-Sea, 2021/10/21. Des migrants dorment sur le pont de la Sea-Watch 3. La ONG a secouru 412 migrants sur sept bateaux en detresse differents dans les dernieres 28 heures dans la SAR zone de la Libye, a a peu pres 30 miles de la Libye. Photographie de Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.
    9_IMG_9085.JPG
  • Italy, Pozzallo, 2021/10/23. Migrants look at the horizon on the deck of the rescue ship Sea-Watch 3 as the ship approaches the port of Pozzallo, Sicily. Migrants were rescued by a team of Sea Watch-3 in Libyan SAR zone. Photograph by Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.<br />
Italie, Pozzallo, 2021/10/23. Des migrants regardent l horizon sur le pont du navire humanitaire Sea Watch 3 en attendant de debarquer dans le port de Pozzallo, Sicile. Les migrants ont ete sauves par une equipe de Sea Watch 3 dans la zone SAR libyenne. Photographie de Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.
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  • Italy, Pozzallo, 2021/10/23. Migrants sit on the deck of the rescue ship Sea-Watch 3 as the ship approaches the port of Pozzallo, Sicily. Migrants were rescued by a team of Sea Watch-3 in Libyan SAR zone. Photograph by Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.<br />
Italie, Pozzallo, 2021/10/23. Des migrants sont assis sur le pont du navire humanitaire Sea Watch 3 en attendant de debarquer dans le port de Pozzallo, Sicile. Les migrants ont ete sauves par une equipe de Sea Watch 3 dans la zone SAR libyenne. Photographie de Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.
    11_IMG_1677.JPG
  • Italy, Pozzallo, 2021/10/23. Migrants rest on the deck of the rescue ship Sea Watch-3 as the ship approaches the port of Pozzallo, Sicily, Italy. Migrants were rescued by a team of Sea Watch-3 in Libyan SAR zone. Photograph by Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.<br />
Italie, Pozzallo, 2021/10/23. Des migrants se reposent sur le pont du navire humanitaire Sea Watch 3 pendant que le navire approche le port de Pozzallo, Sicile. Les migrants ont ete sauves par une equipe de Sea Watch 3 dans la zone SAR libyenne. Photographie de Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.
    12_IMG_1365.JPG
  • Italy, Pozzallo, 2021/10/23. Migrants are disembarked by Italian Red Cross members and health personnel from the rescue ship Sea Watch 3 at the port of Pozzallo, Sicily, Italy. Migrants were rescued by a team of Sea Watch-3 in Libyan SAR zone. Photograph by Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.<br />
Italie, Pozzallo, 2021/10/23. Des migrants descendent du navire humanitaire Sea Watch 3 dans le port de Pozzallo, Sicile, Italy, et sont accueillis par la Croix Rouge italienne et le personnel sanitaire. Les migrants ont ete sauves par une equipe de Sea Watch 3 dans la zone SAR libyenne. Photographie de Valeria Mongelli / Hans Lucas.
    13_P2_9505.JPG