Thirty migrants are stranded on an offshore platform in the Mediterranean near Tunisia, facing severe hunger and health deterioration. One person has died, and aid groups urge Italian and Maltese authorities to intervene. Concerns have been raised about the potential human rights violations by Shell and Amilcar if migrants are returned to their home countries.
A group of 30 migrants is currently stranded on an offshore platform in the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 75 miles east of Tunisia. They have gone without food for several days, leading to a rapid decline in their health, as reported by the emergency hotline service, Alarm Phone. The inhospitable conditions on the platform have raised significant concerns over the adequacy of care for the migrants.
The migrants arrived at the platform on an inflatable boat, which has since been secured to the structure. A reconnaissance visit by the humanitarian group Sea-Watch revealed that one individual has tragically died due to the harsh circumstances, while many others are enduring extreme hunger and exhaustion. Aid organizations have issued urgent appeals to the Italian and Maltese authorities for intervention, stating that the migrants are located in international waters within both countries’ designated search and rescue zones.
In a statement, Sea-Watch emphasized that the migrants possess the right to be transferred to a safe port. Moreover, human rights groups have expressed concerns that Shell, the platform’s owner, and Amilcar Petroleum Operations, the operator, could be involved in violations of human rights if the migrants are forcibly repatriated to Libya or Tunisia. International law prohibits the expulsion of individuals to countries where they might face persecution or significant harm.
The situation facing the stranded migrants highlights urgent humanitarian concerns amidst a dire lack of adequate care on the platform. Calls for intervention by Italian and Maltese authorities emphasize the rights of these individuals, while warnings about potential complicity by the platform’s owners underscore the need for adherence to international law regarding asylum seekers. The continued deteriorating conditions of the migrants necessitate immediate action and support.
Original Source: libyaobserver.ly
