06 July 2020
Following six suicide attempts by rescued persons, the crew of the Ocean Viking ship have declared a state of emergency on board. Repeated requests to Italy and Malta to provide a port for disembarkation have either been refused or gone unanswered.
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"Six migrants have attempted suicide on board the rescue vessel Ocean Viking, prompting a state of emergency to be declared.
SOS Mediterranee, which operates the Ocean Viking, said in a statement on Friday that two migrants jumped overboard and were rescued from the sea again, while three others were stopped before they jumped off the ship.
It reported that another rescued migrant tried to kill himself on board."
Rescued migrants attempt suicide on board Ocean Viking (Al Jazeera, link)
A statement issued by SOS Mediterranee, which operates the Ocean Viking, said:
"After seven requests for a Place of Safety to the relevant maritime authorities within the past week and six suicide attempts by survivors within 24 hours, the Ocean Viking has declared a State of Emergency over the vessel after the situation on board deteriorated to the point that the safety of the 180 survivors and the crew on board can no longer be guaranteed."
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