Some of the 146 migrants rescued by the ship Life Support in the Central Mediterranean recounted stories of poverty, desperation, and violence in their countries of origin, as well as torture and abuse in Libyan detention centers and during the crossing to Europe.

They reached Savona, in Liguria, on Sunday, August 10. They were rescued at sea in three separate operations carried out by the Life Support, a ship operated by the NGO Emergency, between Wednesday, August 6, and Thursday, August 7.

They come from Sudan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, The Ivory Coast, Eritrea, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, and Somalia.

Read AlsoCentral Mediterranean: 3 migrants missing after attempt to reach boat to get aid

'I tried to flee from Libya for nine years, I was tortured there'

The migrants were exhausted when they arrived in Savona: the ship Life Support needed four days at sea to reach the port of Savona that was assigned to it from Italian authorities from the Central Mediterranean.

"In these long days of navigation that it took us to reach the port to disembark, I had the opportunity to listen to various stories of the people on board the ship," said Ousmane Thiame, the cultural mediator on board the ship Life Support.

"The story that touched me the most was the one of this young man who tried to flee from Libya for nine years. He told us that during this time he was tortured, for example with a hammer on his hands. Finally he was able to escape and to feel the emotion in his voice recounting the moment when he saw the ship Life Support is truly touching."

Read AlsoMissing migrants off Sardinia, new arrivals in Lampedusa

'The trip at sea was a nightmare, we feared we would die'

Another migrant, from Sudan, shared his experience. "I come from the region of Kordofan. When the Civil War broke out, I was in Khartoum with my wife and family. I was a small merchant and things were going well, but when the war came, everyone fled. No one stayed in Khartoum.

"I had put some savings aside and I left for Darfur, then I crossed the border with Chad, where I stayed for eight months. From there, I found the way to reach Libya. I worked in the agricultural fields, and when I had enough money aside, I decided to leave for Europe to ask for international protection and to find a safe way to bring my family with me.

"The trip at sea was a nightmare; we were afraid we would die, the ship had taken in a lot of water. When we saw your ship, we understood that we were going to make it. It was an incredible moment that cannot be described."

Read AlsoEU Commissioner visits Libya in search of stronger migration controls

'In Pakistan, Afghans are treated with violence, in Libya they are treated like animals'

"We looked for shelter in Pakistan after being forced to flee from Afghanistan, but Afghan refugees there are forcefully evicted, their homes plundered. In Pakistan, I was a motorcycle mechanic, but due to the violence, I was forced to abandon everything," explained M., of Afghan nationality.

"I have nothing left. I had a lot of debts, and I could no longer make it to the end of the month. I chose to come to Europe a long time ago. I tried as much as I could to build myself a life in Pakistan, but the government abandoned us.

"In Afghanistan, the situation is even worse: there is no education for children, no medical assistance, and no work. I don't have any opportunity there. The trip was terrible.

"During the crossing by boat, we were forced to board and manage on board as we could. We went through many difficulties, even in Libya. We were treated like animals. We were closed in small rooms, without the possibility of going out, speak or walk.

"They didn't even give us food. It was a nightmare. We stayed there for nearly a month, completely isolated. Now, finally, we have nearly arrived. It was an extremely difficult trip, but I am happy. Happy to be in Europe, happy to have a chance."