Watch The Med Alarm Phone Investigations – 23rd August 2023

Case name: 2023_08_23-ATL052

Situation: 60 people in distress in the Atlantic, six lost their lives, the survivors were returned to Akhfenir.

Status of WTM Investigation: Concluded

Place of Incident: Atlantic Ocean

Summary of the case: On Wednesday the 23rd of August 2023, the Alarm Phone shift team was alerted by a relative to a group of 60 travellers, including 10 women and a child, in distress in the Atlantic Ocean. The travellers had left from Akhfenir, Morocco, the previous morning on a grey rubber boat, heading towards Lanzarote. We were not able to establish direct contact to the boat. We immediately alerted the Spanish search and rescue organisation Salvamento Maritimo, relaying all the information we had. Both Salvamento Maritimo and the Moroccan rescue authorities told us that they had not rescued a boat matching our description. Only the following day did we manage to reach the travellers. They told us that one woman was nine months pregnant and bleeding heavily. Additionally, the boat was taking in water. Shortly after, the Moroccan rescue authorities confirmed that they had localised the boat and that a merchant vessel had been sent to provide assistance. In the afternoon, we were informed that the people were brought back to the port of Akhfenir. According to the Moroccan search and rescue authorities there were two dead bodies onboard. Later, we learned that in total six people had lost their lives during this crossing. We condemn the European border regime that forces people to embark on these deadly journeys. All our solidarity is with the friends and families of those who lost their lives and the survivors who had to endure this traumatic experience. We demand freedom of movement for all!

Tweets about the case: https://twitter.com/alarm_phone/status/1694607704826790381