SOS MEDITERRANEE
@sosmediterranee.org
European Organisation for the Rescue of Lives at Sea. Updates from our Search and Rescue operations in the Central Mediterranean #OceanViking #TogetherForRescue
Two days ago, the #OceanViking recovered the body of a woman in the Central Mediterranean.
She may be one of the more than 1,000 people who disappeared during Cyclone Harry.
An estimate based on testimonies collected by @refugeesinlibya.bsky.social
States remain silent.
She may be one of the more than 1,000 people who disappeared during Cyclone Harry.
An estimate based on testimonies collected by @refugeesinlibya.bsky.social
States remain silent.
February 3, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Two days ago, the #OceanViking recovered the body of a woman in the Central Mediterranean.
She may be one of the more than 1,000 people who disappeared during Cyclone Harry.
An estimate based on testimonies collected by @refugeesinlibya.bsky.social
States remain silent.
She may be one of the more than 1,000 people who disappeared during Cyclone Harry.
An estimate based on testimonies collected by @refugeesinlibya.bsky.social
States remain silent.
Yesterday in #Siracusa, the #OceanViking team disembarked the body of the woman we recovered at sea.
We held a ceremony to honour her.
She is the visible trace of thousands of invisible deaths in the #Mediterranean, where at least 32,342 people have gone missing since 2014.
We held a ceremony to honour her.
She is the visible trace of thousands of invisible deaths in the #Mediterranean, where at least 32,342 people have gone missing since 2014.
February 1, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Yesterday in #Siracusa, the #OceanViking team disembarked the body of the woman we recovered at sea.
We held a ceremony to honour her.
She is the visible trace of thousands of invisible deaths in the #Mediterranean, where at least 32,342 people have gone missing since 2014.
We held a ceremony to honour her.
She is the visible trace of thousands of invisible deaths in the #Mediterranean, where at least 32,342 people have gone missing since 2014.
Outrageously, today, the teams of the #OceanViking recovered the body of a woman in the Maltese Search and Rescue Region.
At least 380 people are feared to have drowned in the Central Mediterranean last week as Cyclone #Harry struck the region.
⚠️ Sensitive content ⚠️
At least 380 people are feared to have drowned in the Central Mediterranean last week as Cyclone #Harry struck the region.
⚠️ Sensitive content ⚠️
January 30, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Outrageously, today, the teams of the #OceanViking recovered the body of a woman in the Maltese Search and Rescue Region.
At least 380 people are feared to have drowned in the Central Mediterranean last week as Cyclone #Harry struck the region.
⚠️ Sensitive content ⚠️
At least 380 people are feared to have drowned in the Central Mediterranean last week as Cyclone #Harry struck the region.
⚠️ Sensitive content ⚠️
Outrageously, today, the teams of the #OceanViking recovered the body of a woman in the Maltese Search and Rescue Region.
At least 380 people are feared to have drowned in the Central Mediterranean last week as Cyclone #Harry struck the region.
At least 380 people are feared to have drowned in the Central Mediterranean last week as Cyclone #Harry struck the region.
January 30, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Outrageously, today, the teams of the #OceanViking recovered the body of a woman in the Maltese Search and Rescue Region.
At least 380 people are feared to have drowned in the Central Mediterranean last week as Cyclone #Harry struck the region.
At least 380 people are feared to have drowned in the Central Mediterranean last week as Cyclone #Harry struck the region.
90 survivors, including 2 babies, rescued by the #OceanViking, disembarked this morning in #Palermo. Assigning a nearby port saves lives and reduces suffering. Disembarkation without delay is required under international maritime law.
January 19, 2026 at 2:01 PM
90 survivors, including 2 babies, rescued by the #OceanViking, disembarked this morning in #Palermo. Assigning a nearby port saves lives and reduces suffering. Disembarkation without delay is required under international maritime law.
Crew on #OceanViking has rescued 46 people, inc. women & babies, from an overcrowded rubber boat in the Libyan SAR Region. They are now safe on board. Some people were very weak due to fuel inhalation and are recovering.
The boat matches a distress alert from @alarmphone.bsky.social
The boat matches a distress alert from @alarmphone.bsky.social
January 16, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Crew on #OceanViking has rescued 46 people, inc. women & babies, from an overcrowded rubber boat in the Libyan SAR Region. They are now safe on board. Some people were very weak due to fuel inhalation and are recovering.
The boat matches a distress alert from @alarmphone.bsky.social
The boat matches a distress alert from @alarmphone.bsky.social
After 7 years, 24 humanitarians were acquitted of baseless charges.
We stand in solidarity with all of those who chose to help people in distress at sea.
Saving lives is not a crime, it is a shared responsibility and obligation under intl maritime law.
bit.ly/HRWarticle
We stand in solidarity with all of those who chose to help people in distress at sea.
Saving lives is not a crime, it is a shared responsibility and obligation under intl maritime law.
bit.ly/HRWarticle
Humanitarians Cleared of Bogus Charges in Greece
After a seven-year legal ordeal, humanitarian workers wept with relief today when a court on the Greek island of Lesbos acquitted all 24 defendants who had been baselessly charged with felonies for sa...
bit.ly
January 16, 2026 at 9:36 AM
After 7 years, 24 humanitarians were acquitted of baseless charges.
We stand in solidarity with all of those who chose to help people in distress at sea.
Saving lives is not a crime, it is a shared responsibility and obligation under intl maritime law.
bit.ly/HRWarticle
We stand in solidarity with all of those who chose to help people in distress at sea.
Saving lives is not a crime, it is a shared responsibility and obligation under intl maritime law.
bit.ly/HRWarticle
“We have witnessed once more a low in the history of Search & Rescue in the Med: the open and active collaboration of what we suspect was a European State aircraft in a blatantly illegal interception and subsequent pushback."
-Mar, SAR Coordinator onboard the Ocean Viking
-Mar, SAR Coordinator onboard the Ocean Viking
January 15, 2026 at 5:04 PM
“We have witnessed once more a low in the history of Search & Rescue in the Med: the open and active collaboration of what we suspect was a European State aircraft in a blatantly illegal interception and subsequent pushback."
-Mar, SAR Coordinator onboard the Ocean Viking
-Mar, SAR Coordinator onboard the Ocean Viking
On 15/01, 24 humanitarians will be trialed for rescuing people off at sea, in 2018.
They risk 20 years in prison for doing what is right, and legal.
EU parliament called this “the largest case of criminalisation of solidarity in Europe”.
Solidarity cannot be sanctioned.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
They risk 20 years in prison for doing what is right, and legal.
EU parliament called this “the largest case of criminalisation of solidarity in Europe”.
Solidarity cannot be sanctioned.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
Solidarity on Trial in Greece
Two dozen humanitarian workers face trial on the Greek island of Lesbos this week on baseless felony charges that carry 20 years in prison.
www.hrw.org
January 13, 2026 at 3:41 PM
On 15/01, 24 humanitarians will be trialed for rescuing people off at sea, in 2018.
They risk 20 years in prison for doing what is right, and legal.
EU parliament called this “the largest case of criminalisation of solidarity in Europe”.
Solidarity cannot be sanctioned.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
They risk 20 years in prison for doing what is right, and legal.
EU parliament called this “the largest case of criminalisation of solidarity in Europe”.
Solidarity cannot be sanctioned.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
👇UN communications on the attack by LCG against the #OceanViking are now public.
#Italy & the #EU responded. #Libya has not.
UN Special Rapporteur warns the attack is directly linked to gross human rights violations committed by Libyan authorities against people on the move.
#Italy & the #EU responded. #Libya has not.
UN Special Rapporteur warns the attack is directly linked to gross human rights violations committed by Libyan authorities against people on the move.
Now public: communications to #Libya, #Italy & the #EU on the attack on the Ocean Viking by the Libyan Coast Guard in August 2025, along with responses from Italy & the EU. I remain gravely concerned by the attack & will continue to follow the case.
srdefenders.org/libya-gunfir...
srdefenders.org/libya-gunfir...
Libya: gunfire attack on the Ocean Viking search and rescue vessel by the Libyan Coast Guard (joint communication)
Joint communication sent to the Governments of Libya and Italy, and the EU Delegation in Geneva about the gunfire attack on the Ocean Viking search and rescue vessel by the Libyan Coast Guard on 24 Au...
srdefenders.org
January 9, 2026 at 10:17 AM
👇UN communications on the attack by LCG against the #OceanViking are now public.
#Italy & the #EU responded. #Libya has not.
UN Special Rapporteur warns the attack is directly linked to gross human rights violations committed by Libyan authorities against people on the move.
#Italy & the #EU responded. #Libya has not.
UN Special Rapporteur warns the attack is directly linked to gross human rights violations committed by Libyan authorities against people on the move.
We were less than one hour away.
#OceanViking was ordered to turn back by the LCG while ~60 ppl were in distress at sea.
After the attack this summer, escalating violence forced us to protect our crew & survivors onboard.
Not a failure of rescue. A failure of the SAR system.
#OceanViking was ordered to turn back by the LCG while ~60 ppl were in distress at sea.
After the attack this summer, escalating violence forced us to protect our crew & survivors onboard.
Not a failure of rescue. A failure of the SAR system.
January 5, 2026 at 4:53 PM
We were less than one hour away.
#OceanViking was ordered to turn back by the LCG while ~60 ppl were in distress at sea.
After the attack this summer, escalating violence forced us to protect our crew & survivors onboard.
Not a failure of rescue. A failure of the SAR system.
#OceanViking was ordered to turn back by the LCG while ~60 ppl were in distress at sea.
After the attack this summer, escalating violence forced us to protect our crew & survivors onboard.
Not a failure of rescue. A failure of the SAR system.
33 people have disembarked off the #OceanViking in #Savona this morning. Among them, two families with small children.
We are glad they are finally safe.
We are glad they are finally safe.
January 5, 2026 at 12:33 PM
33 people have disembarked off the #OceanViking in #Savona this morning. Among them, two families with small children.
We are glad they are finally safe.
We are glad they are finally safe.
🔊 “I hope the whole world will be safe and peaceful, nothing more,” says Mohamed, rescued by the #OceanViking after fleeing #Sudan.
@afp.com journalists on board captured the hopes of survivors as the ship sails to the distant port of #Savona.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANfB...
@afp.com journalists on board captured the hopes of survivors as the ship sails to the distant port of #Savona.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANfB...
Rescued migrants share hopes for 2026 from Mediterranean humanitarian ship | AFP
YouTube video by AFP News Agency
www.youtube.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:22 PM
🔊 “I hope the whole world will be safe and peaceful, nothing more,” says Mohamed, rescued by the #OceanViking after fleeing #Sudan.
@afp.com journalists on board captured the hopes of survivors as the ship sails to the distant port of #Savona.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANfB...
@afp.com journalists on board captured the hopes of survivors as the ship sails to the distant port of #Savona.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANfB...
33 survivors on #OceanViking are still waiting to end their ordeal in the distant port of #Savona.
At sea since Christmas Day,they’ll only reach land on 5 Jan.
Deliberately assigning such distant ports needlessly prolongs suffering. Every unnecessary day at sea is one too many.
At sea since Christmas Day,they’ll only reach land on 5 Jan.
Deliberately assigning such distant ports needlessly prolongs suffering. Every unnecessary day at sea is one too many.
January 3, 2026 at 11:29 AM
33 survivors on #OceanViking are still waiting to end their ordeal in the distant port of #Savona.
At sea since Christmas Day,they’ll only reach land on 5 Jan.
Deliberately assigning such distant ports needlessly prolongs suffering. Every unnecessary day at sea is one too many.
At sea since Christmas Day,they’ll only reach land on 5 Jan.
Deliberately assigning such distant ports needlessly prolongs suffering. Every unnecessary day at sea is one too many.
Yesterday, after the recovery of 33 people from #maridive703 ship, Ocean Viking received an alert by @alarmphone.bsky.social of about 60 people on a rubber boat, sheltered by a research ship #EddaFlora.
We had received authorisation from Italian MRCC to alter course and proceed to the case.
We had received authorisation from Italian MRCC to alter course and proceed to the case.
January 1, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Yesterday, after the recovery of 33 people from #maridive703 ship, Ocean Viking received an alert by @alarmphone.bsky.social of about 60 people on a rubber boat, sheltered by a research ship #EddaFlora.
We had received authorisation from Italian MRCC to alter course and proceed to the case.
We had received authorisation from Italian MRCC to alter course and proceed to the case.
We learned from survivors we took onboard from the #Maridive703 vessel that they witnessed another boat with around 75 people stuck under the nearby oil platform.
These people were later taken onboard by Tunisian Coast Guards and brought back where their rights aren't respected.
These people were later taken onboard by Tunisian Coast Guards and brought back where their rights aren't respected.
January 1, 2026 at 1:13 PM
We learned from survivors we took onboard from the #Maridive703 vessel that they witnessed another boat with around 75 people stuck under the nearby oil platform.
These people were later taken onboard by Tunisian Coast Guards and brought back where their rights aren't respected.
These people were later taken onboard by Tunisian Coast Guards and brought back where their rights aren't respected.
1/2 Today,#OceanViking evacuated 33 ppl rescued by #Maridrive703 in the overlapping Maltese-Tunisian SRR,incl. 3 women (1 pregnant) & 3 children.A few are medical cases after a week at sea. Survivors report another group was pushedback to #Tunisia.
December 31, 2025 at 4:10 PM
1/2 Today,#OceanViking evacuated 33 ppl rescued by #Maridrive703 in the overlapping Maltese-Tunisian SRR,incl. 3 women (1 pregnant) & 3 children.A few are medical cases after a week at sea. Survivors report another group was pushedback to #Tunisia.
🚨108 people remain stranded onboard merchant vessel #MARIDIVE703 after 2 rescue operations in the #centralMed. Some were rescued 4 days ago in the Maltese SRR – #Malta must act immediately & assign a safe port. Any delay is inhumane and a blatant violation of maritime law. x.com/alarm_phone/...
@alarmphone on X: "The crew of the Maridive has rescued a second boat in distress, which means that a total of 108 people are stranded on #Maridive703! Two people have reportedly died and several are injured. We call on #Malta and #Italy to end this inhumane situation and finally let them land!! https://t.co/kvwIjWhMIM" / X
The crew of the Maridive has rescued a second boat in distress, which means that a total of 108 people are stranded on #Maridive703! Two people have reportedly died and several are injured. We call on #Malta and #Italy to end this inhumane situation and finally let them land!! https://t.co/kvwIjWhMIM
x.com
December 30, 2025 at 4:27 PM
🚨108 people remain stranded onboard merchant vessel #MARIDIVE703 after 2 rescue operations in the #centralMed. Some were rescued 4 days ago in the Maltese SRR – #Malta must act immediately & assign a safe port. Any delay is inhumane and a blatant violation of maritime law. x.com/alarm_phone/...
Four months after the violent attack we faced by the Libyan Coast Guards, and despite a rise of violence in the Central Mediterranean, our teams onboard the Ocean Viking are going back to do what they do best: Rescue people in distress at sea, protect them, and bear witness.
December 25, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Four months after the violent attack we faced by the Libyan Coast Guards, and despite a rise of violence in the Central Mediterranean, our teams onboard the Ocean Viking are going back to do what they do best: Rescue people in distress at sea, protect them, and bear witness.
On this #InternationalMigrantsDay, we share the testimony of Hamid, a young Eritrean father, seeking dignity and safety, like millions of other people in his situation.
December 18, 2025 at 9:33 AM
On this #InternationalMigrantsDay, we share the testimony of Hamid, a young Eritrean father, seeking dignity and safety, like millions of other people in his situation.
After the violent attack by the Libyan Coast Guard in August which forced a four-month suspension of its operations, the Ocean Viking is about to return to sea.
👉 www.sosmediterranee.org/the-ocean-vi...
👉 www.sosmediterranee.org/the-ocean-vi...
December 16, 2025 at 9:28 AM
After the violent attack by the Libyan Coast Guard in August which forced a four-month suspension of its operations, the Ocean Viking is about to return to sea.
👉 www.sosmediterranee.org/the-ocean-vi...
👉 www.sosmediterranee.org/the-ocean-vi...
Our aerial operation Albatross, in partnership with @hpiswiss.bsky.social confirmed its importance by spotting 4 boats in distress, during 7 flights over the Central Mediterranean.
Through our observations, we have enabled ± 160 people to be rescued.
The mission will resume in early 2026.
Through our observations, we have enabled ± 160 people to be rescued.
The mission will resume in early 2026.
December 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Our aerial operation Albatross, in partnership with @hpiswiss.bsky.social confirmed its importance by spotting 4 boats in distress, during 7 flights over the Central Mediterranean.
Through our observations, we have enabled ± 160 people to be rescued.
The mission will resume in early 2026.
Through our observations, we have enabled ± 160 people to be rescued.
The mission will resume in early 2026.
For four years, SOS MEDITERRANEE and IFRC worked side by side to support people rescued from one of the world’s deadliest sea routes. This partnership managed to get people at risk to a place of safety.
December 9, 2025 at 9:06 AM
For four years, SOS MEDITERRANEE and IFRC worked side by side to support people rescued from one of the world’s deadliest sea routes. This partnership managed to get people at risk to a place of safety.
Yesterday, with Humanitarian Pilots Initiative, #Albatross completed its first operational flight! ✈️
It spotted two empty boats likely intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guard, and later a boat in distress with around 40 people, later rescued by @en.sea-watch.org’s Aurora. ❤️
It spotted two empty boats likely intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guard, and later a boat in distress with around 40 people, later rescued by @en.sea-watch.org’s Aurora. ❤️
November 13, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Yesterday, with Humanitarian Pilots Initiative, #Albatross completed its first operational flight! ✈️
It spotted two empty boats likely intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guard, and later a boat in distress with around 40 people, later rescued by @en.sea-watch.org’s Aurora. ❤️
It spotted two empty boats likely intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guard, and later a boat in distress with around 40 people, later rescued by @en.sea-watch.org’s Aurora. ❤️