15 people safely disembark from rescue ship SEA-EYE 5 in Vibo Valentia

Previously, two people with serious injuries had to be medically evacuated

At around 12:00 noon on Thursday, the SEA-EYE 5 crew rescued 17 people in the Mediterranean Sea. One person’s condition was so critical that the crew requested a medical evacuation. A helicopter then took this person to hospital in Malta for urgent treatment.

“The health condition of most of the rescued persons was stable; some were seasick. One person had inhaled too much fuel, which caused their blood oxygen level to drop too low. We provided them with oxygen and treated them for dehydration. Their condition was too critical to keep them on board for a longer period of time, so we requested an evacuation,” reports Dr Nour Hanna-Krahl, the emergency doctor from German Doctors on board the SEA-EYE 5.

About three hours after the helicopter operation, the health condition of a second rescued person deteriorated. The crew therefore requested another medical evacuation. An Italian coast guard vessel took the person on board and brought them ashore in Lampedusa so that they could receive immediate medical treatment.

Following the mission, the Italian authorities designated the port of Vibo Valentia for the SEA-EYE 5, located approximately 400 nautical miles from the location of the rescue. After an almost 30-hour journey, the 15 rescued people were able to safely go ashore late Friday evening.

This has been the second rescue operation for the SEA-EYE 5 during this mission. 14 people had been brought to safety on board the all-weather lifeboat on Saturday morning (19 July) and disembarked at the designated port of Reggio Calabria on Sunday evening.