The Ocean Viking humanitarian rescue ship of the SOS Mediterranée NGO disembarked about 100 migrants at Italy's Ancona port on March 9, including about 20 unaccompanied minors.
The Ocean Viking humanitarian rescue ship of the SOS Mediterranée NGO disembarked about 100 migrants around 6 pm on March 9, including about 20 unaccompanied minors.
Following initial health checks onboard by healthcare personnel from the Maritime Health Services (USMAF) and the Ancona local healthcare entity, the passengers were disembarked and given basic goods with coordination by the Ancona prefect's office.
30 adults in Marche, minors in different regions
Deputy prefect Rachele Grandolfo said that there are no health conditions requiring immediate treatment among the migrants. However, they seemed exhausted and cold from the sea crossing prior to their rescue and by the long journey in general towards Ancona.
They were given food and assistance during the identification operations carried out in the Paolinelli sports center in Ancona. The rescue operations proceeded without any incidents, according to authorities.
Of the about 100 migrants, Grandolfo said, about 30 adults will remain in the Marches region while the others -- including all the minors -- will be assigned to other regions, including Tuscany.
The migrants saved by the Ocean Viking are of various nationalities, including Eritreans, Egyptians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis.
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Docked after two rescue operations
Following the first rescue on March 4, on Thursday, the ship carried out another while it was heading towards the Italian port.
"After navigating for more than 4 days, the 100 survivors rescued on March 5 finally disembarked in Ancona. Some, including teenagers, have been trying to reach safety for years, escaping war, persecution and violence in their home countries and Libya," a post by the organization noted on the social media platform X.
Other posts stated: "While we were heading towards Ancona, AlarmPhone informed us of a vessel experiencing difficulties about 30 miles away for 64 people onboard."
"Several alerts of boats in distress were issued while #OceanViking was sent 1296kms away. Some were intercepted back to Libya, some rescued by the Italian CG, and some remain unknown. We rescued 100 people in one day, 43,073 in the past 10 years. We will be here as long as we are needed."
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