Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has reported a disturbing incident involving armed men threatening migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean. The armed individuals, claiming to be part of the Libyan coast guard, approached a group of 112 migrants, separated women and children from the others, and sped off with them in two speedboats. Meanwhile, dozens of men and boys jumped into the sea to escape.
The MSF vessel, the Geo Barents, arrived on Thursday in international waters off the Libyan coast to assist the migrants, rescuing 83 men and unaccompanied minors. A total of 70 individuals were pulled from the sea, and thankfully, no fatalities occurred. However, the situation escalated when the armed men intercepted the boat. They initially agreed to hand over the women and children after the men were rescued, but instead, they fled with them.
One of the rescued men reported that the armed individuals fired shots into the air and water to deter the migrants from approaching their boat. He said the attackers only took the women and children, pushing him away when he tried to board the speedboat.
MSF condemned the aggression as “unacceptable” and called for the authorities to reunite the separated families. The organization stressed that Libya is not a safe destination for migrants. The incident highlights the dangers migrants face in the Mediterranean, with the United Nations reporting that over 2,100 people have died trying to make the perilous crossing this year.
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