Also on board were 5 females, including one unaccompanied minor, and two children under 5 years old, all trying to find refuge in Europe after fleeing the horrors they left behind. Now disembarked in Catania, they hope to receive support and begin a new chapter in their lives.

Samuel’s family sold their property to pay a $7,500 ransom to the militia that had kidnapped him. After taking the money, they demanded another $7,500 and refused to release him. When his family could not pay, he was beaten. He still bears cigarette burn scars on his chest.

Samuel, an 18-year-old Ethiopian, had tried to cross nine times before. Each time, he was detained by militias and subjected to severe violence, extortion, and threats. On his tenth attempt, he finally reached international waters, where he was rescued by MSF’s vessel, the Oyvon

Yesterday, 17 people were brought to safety aboard the Oyvon after more than 10 hours at sea on a black rubber boat. They came from Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and The Gambia. Among them were 8 minors, including 6 unaccompanied minors, a 4-year-old child and a 1-year-old baby

“Living in Libya was the most difficult thing in my life,” shared Yonas, a young Ethiopian who had previously fled war in Tigray and later in Sudan. Leaving this behind was worth the risks of a dangerous journey.

They had been at sea 12 hours on an unseaworthy rubber boat trying to reach Europe. “The journey was very dangerous; the weather was not good,” Yonas added. Despite the risks, several, including him, had tried to cross before, and after failing they kept trying.

MSF assisted a boat in distress spotted by Albatros Uno, SOS Méditerranée monitoring aircraft On board, 27 people from Eritrea, Mali, Ethiopia and Senegal, including 2 women and 7 unaccompanied minors They disembarked in Reggio Calabria, Place of Safety designated by Italian authorities

“I am just one of many...” says Yonas, “but there are still many friends left behind,” he adds. “No one leaves their country just like that... There is a reason. Our reason is war.” Yonas is one of the people rescued by MSF Oyvon crew last Sunday, Oct 4.

"People rescued at sea should not be returned to Libya, where they face very serious risks including extorsion, arbitrary detention, violence, and exploitation," adds Milanese

Among the rescued, there are 6 women and girls and 12 minors, 9 of whom are unaccompanied. The majority came from Eritrea. The Oyvon is heading to Catania, the designated Place of Safety by the Italian authorities

Today MSF crew aboard Oyvon rescued 31 people. "We feared people would be pushed back to Libya" Chiara Milanese, MSF Project Coordinator. After embarking all the people on Oyvon, the crew saw patrol boats arriving at the scene and setting the boat on fire

The boat departed from Libya, carrying people coming from Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Yemen. MSF teams continue to provide basic medical care to the rescued people. The team is heading to Pozzallo, Sicily, the designated place of safety by Italian authorities.

🚨This afternoon, 24 people were rescued in international waters by MSF teams and brought aboard of Oyvon. They had been adrift for nearly 2 days in a rubber boat. 5 of them are female, 7 are unaccompanied minors.

👍Yesterday, the 18 people who were rescued were all disembarked safely in Trapani, Sicily, which was the assigned place of safety by the Italian authorities.

correction: 12 of the survivors, including one young woman, are unaccompanied minors.

The survivors had been at sea for over a day. Majority of people rescued are from Eritrea. They are all on board receiving medical attention from our team.

🚨This morning, 18 people were rescued in international waters from a drifting, unseaworthy fiberglass boat. 11 of the survivors are unaccompanied minors, including one young woman. They were all brought to safety aboard the Oyvon. 🧵