Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced on 6 December they will end search-and-rescue operations in the Mediterranean. Their ship, the Aquarius, has saved the lives of tens of thousands of people crossing from Libya to Italy, the world’s deadliest migration route, reports indicate. (The Guardian). This comes after a host of challenges: the ship has been forced to stay in the port of Marseilles since the end of September when Panama revoked its flag registration, and Italy ordered seizure of the vessel last month on charges of “illegal waste disposal” . MSF called these actions “smear campaigns” Related: How the debate over flags sidelined Europe’s migrant-rescue ships.Credit to Lolita Brayman.
MSF Aquarius boat to end search-and-rescue operations in the Mediterranean