Among those stepping ashore are very young children with their families and teenagers travelling alone. On board, we heard painful accounts of suffering along their journeys and in Libya. They deserve a welcome that offers protection, care and a chance to feel safe.

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.

Frontex aircrafts were the alert source for both boats in distress. In the case of the second boat, Eagle3 was present. When Albatross requested information about a rescue plan, its crew replied they had no information to share. Eagle3 stayed on scene during the interception.

Later on, our crew spotted another black rubber boat carrying ~30 people adrift in international waters. People on board were intercepted by a Libyan GACS patrol vessel donated by Italy and the EU and forcibly returned to Libya, in violation of International maritime and human rights law.

Yesterday, on the second day of deployment for our monitoring aircraft Albatross Uno, our crew spotted a black rubber boat carrying around 20 people. The sponsons were already partially deflated, placing those on board at immediate risk. People were later rescued by @sea-eye.org 5.

⚫13 years ago, a shipwreck off Lampedusa claimed the lives of more than 368 people. It became a defining moment in Europe’s recent history, exposing the consequences of deterrence policies & human cost of inaction. 13 years later, we remember those who never reached shore and honour their memory.

Many had fled countries affected by war and insecurity. With safe routes unavailable, children and their families are forced onto dangerous journeys. No child should have to risk their life crossing the Mediterranean to reach safety.

More than half of those who disembarked were minors. Among them were twins who celebrated their sixth birthday aboard. Their mother told us it was a birthday neither she nor her children would ever forget.

In Malta's Search and Rescue Region, "rescue" stands for ignorance. Most people who risk drowning here don't get saved - they get kidnapped by Libyan militias and disappear. Yesterday, Seabird 3 spotted a boat with 17 people in distress, and everyone knew what would come next.