LOCKDOWN IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

The central Mediterranean route is one of the most dangerous and according to the UN the deadliest escape route for people crossing to Europe by sea.
As the Covid-19 pandemic lead to a lockdown in Europe in Spring 2020, private rescue Organizations also had to adapt to the Crisis that made the working conditions even more difficult.
As one of the first since the start of the European lockdowns, the Rescue Ship Sea-Watch 3 left the Sicilian port of Messina, Italy, in early June 2020 towards the open sea.
During the mission its crew spotted three boats in distress and 211 people on the move could be rescued. After 5 days of waiting for a response of the Italian authorities for a safe port, the ship was finally given permission to enter the port of Empedocle in Sicily.

• MEDITERRANEAN SEA AND SICILY, ITALY - SUMMER 2020