Five Migrants Die During Rescue Operation in Malta: SAR Malta Calls for Public Inquiry

Five migrants died on Friday, February 23, 2024, after their boat capsized during a rescue operation by the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) in Maltese territorial waters. The survivors, including a pregnant woman, were taken to hospital for medical attention. However, 21 of the survivors were then taken to a detention center in Malta.

SAR Malta, a network working to end pushbacks, non-assistance of people in distress, and other human rights violations at sea
, condemned the loss of life and called for a public inquiry into the circumstances of these deaths. The organization also called for the immediate release of all survivors.

SAR Malta said that the migrants were from Egypt, Syria, Ghana, and Eritrea and were seeking a better life and a safe haven. They added that the Maltese authorities have a responsibility under international law to rescue people in distress in their search and rescue zone.

The organization also welcomed the fact that the AFM made public comments about the rescue operation. They said that they hope this will become standard practice and that more information will be shared about such operations in the future.

The full text of the press release is available on the SAR Malta Twitter profile.

Comments

Distress Alert: Sailing Vessel Kiliki Overdue and in Need of Assistance

UPDATE: The crew members were rescued.

The Dramatic Ordeal of M/V CHRISTINA DEBORA: From Mechanical Failure to Abandonment in the Mid-Atlantic

In June 2025, the standby safety vessel CHRISTINA DEBORA , 38.77 meters in length, experienced a maritime emergency that culminated in its abandonment in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean after drifting powerless for more than two weeks. The vessel had been sold and reflagged to Zanzibar either shortly before or just after leaving South Africa. The Beginning of the Crisis – June 8, 2025 The ordeal began on Sunday, June 8, when CHRISTINA DEBORA , navigating approximately 300 nautical miles northwest of St. Helena Island, suffered a major clutch failure, completely losing propulsion. Seven crew members were onboard at the time. The distress call was officially reported by MRCC NATAL on June 11: the vessel was adrift and urgently required clutch repair parts as well as potable water. Captain Victor managed to contact Johnny Clingham, the administrator of the Facebook group “St Helena’s Talk Group,” who verified the authenticity of the request and informed the wider maritime community. ...

Tragedy in the Mozambique Channel: What Is Known About the Deaths of Sailors Deirdre Sibly and Pascal Mahe

1 December 2025 — International authorities are investigating the deaths of Australian sailor Deirdre Sibly , 67, and French sailor Pascal Mahe , who were found dead aboard their yacht in the Mozambique Channel after issuing a distress signal. Although the circumstances remain unclear, several key facts have been confirmed. Deirdre Sibly, an experienced sailor from Port Lincoln, South Australia, had been at sea for nearly four decades. She had been travelling for several months aboard the French-registered yacht Acteon , accompanied by French sailor Pascal Mahe. The two reportedly met on Réunion Island and had been planning a passage across the Indian Ocean. Their most recent route led them from Réunion towards Durban, South Africa , where Sibly intended to catch a flight back to Australia. The distress signal 🚨 #MAYDAY RELAY 🚨 Sailboat #ACTEON issued a DSC distress call on 26 Nov at 0430 UTC (17°05.00S / 040°05.00E). Two persons onboard, but no signs of life reported since. A...

Sea warnings

Search This Blog