Their flimsy fiber glass boat was first sighted by a smaller private vessel, the Louise Michel. Once they had stabilised the situation, they requested the assistance of the Sea-Watch 4, as the bigger and more suitably equipped vessel to respond. When the state of those of the tiny boat deteriorated, two people were taken on board the Louise Michel as an emergency measure.Once the Sea-Watch 4 arrived, the MSF medical team was dispatched to conduct a preliminary triage. Following an assessment by the Doctor, they were transferred to the Sea-Watch 4 - along with the remaining 5 survivors - for further examination in the ship's hospital. Their condition is now stable, but they will remain under observation.

“Il governo italiano ha chiuso i nostri occhi sul Mediterraneo. Da venerdì il nostro aereo di monitoraggio civile Moonbird non può più alzarsi in volo da Lampedusa. L’accusa è quella di aver riportato per troppe volte, per troppo tempo, la presenza di persone in immediato bisogno di soccorso nel Mediterraneo Centrale”. Lo dice la portavoce di Sea Watch, Giorgia Linardi. “Da giugno – spiega – abbiamo effettuato 47 missioni e avvistato 2600 persone in pericolo chiedendone il soccorso immediato. Lo prescrive la legge, eppure è proprio questo a venirci contestato”.