‘Horrific 24 hours’: young children lose mother in Med
Our team rescue a Syrian girl earlier this month
Two very young children whose mother died on the crossing from North Africa to Europe were among more than 100 other people saved by our search and rescue ship last Thursday.
Disaster when two boats capsized
The two children who lost their mother have no other relatives with them. They are now being cared for by our on-board child protection teams, who work closely with the Italian authorities.
People said prayers on board for their mother.
Thursday’s rescue came less than 24 hours after another operation, in which only 29 people were pulled alive from the water. That’s out of at least 270 – which is the number of people that survivors told us were on two dinghies.
“There are no words”
Late on Wednesday, our team spotted two women who had been out at sea for hours.
Roger Alonso, our team leader on our ship, the Vos Hestia, said: “There are no words to describe the horrific events we’ve witnessed over the past 24 hours.”
“We’ve seen a mother in utter shock, unable to speak after losing her baby. Two young children have witnessed their mother die in unspeakable circumstances.
“These mothers left Africa with their children and hopes of a better future – it cost them their lives.
“Our team is now doing everything they can to provide support to these children, including giving psychological care.”
Protect children, not borders
Alonso continued: “This needless loss of life highlights the perverse impact of current EU policy, which is focused on protecting borders, rather than providing to refugees and migrants, especially those most vulnerable, legal and safe ways to reach sanctuary in our countries.”
We are calling for the EU to provide safe and legal routes into Europe.
This includes resettlement, humanitarian visas and other forms of humanitarian admissions.
This should help to ensure minimum standards of protection, especially for children.
Frightening chances of survival
So far, 2016 has been the deadliest year on record for those crossing the Mediterranean.
If the number of causalities from the latest shipwreck is confirmed, more than 4,100 people will have died trying to make it to Europe from North Africa.
The journey is now so dangerous that for every 47 people who survive, one is expected to die while trying to make the crossing.
We can’t give up
Our search and rescue team has savedmore than 1,300 people, including more than 200 children.
We’re continuing to conduct lifesaving operations to help prevent more people losing their lives at sea.
Donate to our Rescue at Sea appeal.
Interested? Read more:
Share this article