UN urges more Mediterranean rescue capacity after Aquarius pullout

GENEVA: The UN voiced concern Friday at the MSF charity’s decision to retire its Aquarius rescue ship amid alleged obstruction by some European countries, saying more capacity was needed to save migrants stranded in the Mediterranean.

SOS Mediterranee and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced late on Thursday the end of the mission of Aquarius, which has been stranded in southern France since October after Panama revoked the right to fly its flag following a request from Italy’s farright government.

“Search and rescue capacity needs to be reinforced rather than diminished,” UN refugee agency spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo told reporters in Geneva.She stressed the need to leave “space for NGOs to contribute in an coordinated manner to these efforts”.

“Saving lives is our primary concern.” The ship became a symbol of the diplomatic crisis surrounding the arrival of migrants in Europe when Italy slammed shut its ports in June and left the ship stranded with 630 people on board.

Aquarius has helped almost 30,000 migrants at sea who have attempted the perilous journey across the Mediterranean.

MSF said in a statement Thursday that the decision to retire the vessel’s mission was “the result of a sustained campaign, spearheaded by the Italian government and backed by other European states, to delegitimise, slander and obstruct aid organisations providing assistance to vulnerable people.”