Νέα αντιπαράθεση στην Ευρώπη για το πλοίο Aquarius. Η Γαλλία είπε «όχι» στον ελλιμενισμό του πλοίου στη Μασσαλία με τον γάλλο υπουργό Oικονομικών Μπρούνο Λε Μερ να απαντά στο BFM TV ότι το πλοίο θα έπρεπε να ελλιμενιστεί στο εγγύτερο λιμάνι και αυτό δεν βρίσκεται στη Γαλλία.
Την ίδια ώρα η υπουργός Ευρωπαϊκών Υποθέσεων Ναταλί Λουαζό εξέφρασε την ελπίδα ότι η ΕΕ θα καταλήξει "εντός της ημέρας" σε μια λύση για το πλοίο Aquarius.
"Από χθες οι υπουργοί Εσωτερικών της ΕΕ (...) εργάζονται αδιάκοπα, ελπίζω να έχουμε μια απάντηση εντός της ημέρας", δήλωσε στον ραδιοσταθμό Sud Radio.
"Θα βρούμε μια λύση", διαβεβαίωσε η ίδια, υπενθυμίζοντας ότι κι άλλες παρόμοιες κρίσεις επιλύθηκαν τους τελευταίους μήνες μέσω μιας συμφωνίας για το μοίρασμα της υποδοχής των προσφύγων μεταξύ πολλών ευρωπαϊκών χωρών.
Την ίδια ώρα, ο συντονιστής των Γιατρών Χωρίς Σύνορα που βρίσκεται στο πλοίο δήλωσε στο euronews ότι εκτός από την Ιταλία και την Μάλτα και η Ελλάδα αρνήθηκαν πρόσβαση στο Aquarius με 58 διασωθέντες μετανάστες.
Ο Αλόις Βίμαρντ είπε χαρακτηριστικά: «Απευθύναμε λοιπόν αίτημα στην Μάλτα και την Ιταλία που αρνήθηκαν ευθύς αμέσως. Πρώτα η Μάλτα που ανέφερε ότι δεν είναι σε θέση να συντονίσει και να παράσχει ένα ασφαλές μέρος και κατόπιν η Ιταλία. Κατόπιν απευθύναμε αίτημα και στην Ελλάδα η οποία επίσης αρνήθηκε και πλέον περιμένουμε απάντηση από την Ισπανία και τη Γαλλία».
37 από τους διασωθέντες προέρχονται από την Λιβύη, οι 18 είναι ανήλικοι και ένα παιδί είναι ασυνόδευτο.
Οι Γιατροί Χωρίς Σύνορα και η «Μεσόγειος SOS» ζητούν από τις ευρωπαϊκές κυβερνήσεις να επιτρέψουν στο Aquarius να συνεχίσει την αποστολή του, είτε διαβεβαιώνοντας τις αρχές του Παναμά ότι οι απειλές της ιταλικής κυβέρνησης είναι αβάσιμες, είτε χορηγώντας αμέσως μια νέα σημαία με την οποία θα μπορέσει το σκάφος να συνεχίσει την αποστολή του.
SAR Operations > Rubber boat near Sabratah Oil Field (2018.09.24)
September 24, 2018 20:25
Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, UK, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Croatia, Belgium, Ireland, Gibraltar, Monaco, Switzerland, Malta
“Dear Sirs,
Please be informed that the Aquarius 2 has received an alert for a rubber boat in distress within the Libyan SRR at pos. 33-35.4 N 012-27-0E with between 100-150 pax on board. This information was received by the Maritime Patrol Aircraft(MPA) “Seagull 95.” Aquarius has tried to contact JRCC Tripoli but has had no answer (this has been consistently the case for a week regarding other SAR events). It is also important to note that we have consistently attempted to contact ITMRCC who in response informs us that we must contact JRCC Tripoli. Consistently, we have been trying all of this with no success. The confusion around the coordination of the rescue operation only delays the intervention and puts the lives of those in danger at further unnecessary risk. Since there is an ongoing conflict in Tripoli right now, perhaps JRCC Tripoli are unable to reply.
At present, the Aquarius 2 is proceeding towards the position of the distress. Seagull 95 has been trying to contact *** ***** (callsign ******** MMSI **********); however, this appears not to have worked. It is important to mention that *** ***** was in contact with MPA Colibri yesterday and was informed of a boat in distress with 30pax near their position. They informed the Colibri that they could not help and then moved away from the boat in distress leaving the people in danger. Again for this reason, the Aquarius 2 is proceeding towards the distress position and will assist immediately if needed as per International Maritime Law. We request that a RCC in a position to reply please coordinate this event for the safety of those people on board the boat in distress. Please send a InMarsat C alert to all vessels in the area. Weather conditions in the area are getting steadily worse over the coming hours and next days.
For any other questions please refer to our electronic logbook, available at onboard-aquarius.org.
Please acknowledge receipt of this message.
Best regards,”
— SAR Operations > Small fiber glass boat (2018.09.20)
September 22, 2018 19:08
Aquarius contacts Spanish, French and Greek MRCCs
“Dear Sirs,
Please be informed that the Aquarius 2 conducted a SAR event within the Libyan SRR two days ago on the 20th of September. Initially, after identifying a boat in distress we tried to contact the JRCC Libya via phone, VHF and email without success. The first and only RCC that responded prior and during the rescue was the Italian MRCC. They informed us that they would refuse coordination and would contact the Libyan authorities leaving the Aquarius 2 without help. Later and shortly after the call with the Italian maritime authorities, the Aquarius 2 received an email from the Libyan Navy Coast Guard requesting that we rendezvous bordering Libyan territorial waters with a patrol boat to disembark the 11 survivors on-board. This would clearly have meant the return of these people to Libya. Considering the determinations of multiple international bodies Libya cannot be considered as a Place of Safety (POS). In response to this information, the Libyan Navy Coast Guard kindly suggested that we contact other MRCCs.
In the Interim, Malta has informed us “that it is neither the appropriate nor the competent authority to provide [the survivors on the Aquarius] with a place of safety.” The last communication with the IMRCC stated that: “Italian authorities will not provide POS in Italy because the SAR case was not coordinated by the Italian MRCC.” As you know in your expertise, from the IMO annex 34 adopted in 2004 other RCCs are to be contacted for assistance if difficulties arise. Although it is the responsibility of an RCC to either ensure the prompt provision of a POS or involve other authorities, we are concerned that you may not have been contacted. In light of this concern, we felt it advisable to share these troubling events with you and seek guidance in your roles as competent RCCs.
See attached the full situation report and details regarding the rescue. Further information can also be gathered at onboard-aquarius.org.
The situation on board is stable for the time being and our medical team (2 doctors, 2 nurses and 1 midwife) continue to treat the 11 survivors. While waiting for a POS we remain in International waters and will continue to respond if any maritime distress situation occurs in full respect of international maritime law.
Please acknowledge receipt of this email at your earliest convenience.
Best regards,”
Φωτο Reuters
Πηγή: euronews/απε-μπε