The Geo Barents search-and-rescue
ship operated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) docked in the
southern port of Salerno on Saturday with 99 migrants it rescued
in two operations off the coast of Libya this week, including 53
minors.
The 41 boys and 12 girls included 37 unaccompanied minors.
Many were small children and some had trouble walking down the
steps to the quay after the ship docked.
"The 99 people rescued on July 10 safely disembarked in Salerno
this morning. Despite their arduous journey, many faced
harassment from the Libyan SSA (security force), forcing many to
jump into the water, preferring to risk death at sea rather than
be pushed back to #Libya," MSF said via X.
The migrants, who also included 34 men and 12 women, mostly came
from Ivory Coast, Syria, Somalia, Pakistan, Guinea and Burkina
Faso.
"There were many children, and many of them were unaccompanied,
on the Geo Barents ship that docked this morning at the port of
Salerno with 99 migrants," said Salerno Mayor Vincenzo Napoli
said via Facebook.
"According to the initial information, the vast majority,
including women and children, suffered abuse and all kinds of
physical and psychological violence.
"It's a huge tragedy.
"As a municipal administration, we will put in place support and
paths to follow for these people who, after the hell they have
suffered, arrive in our country with the hope of a better
future".
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