Yesterday evening at 8.19 pm. we found a wooden boat with 52 people on board. The engine had stopped working and the boat was unable to maneuver. In the darkness, it quickly became clear that there was an immediate danger of life of the people on board if conditions got only just a bit worse. Due to the high waves, we were unable to put our dinghy in the water and bring the people on board the Trotamar III. Instead, we distributed life jackets and requested immediate assistance from the authorities. At 23.01 pm, the Italian coastguard rescued all the people.

Even in stormy weather, people are forced to use risky escape routes across the Mediterranean Sea. We need safe passages for people on the move and an open Europe that welcomes people and gives them easy access to the asylum system. Drowning in the sea is not an option!