SEA-EYE 5 rescues 76 people in a challenging operation over the Easter weekend
The all-weather lifeboat brought the rescued people safely ashore in Lampedusa on Monday afternoon.
At around 9 p.m. on Easter Sunday, the crew of the SEA-EYE 5 reached a distress case at sea that had been reported by the organisation Alarm Phone. It took the crew more than three hours to rescue the 76 people from the double-decker wooden boat due to the high swell. Some of those rescued said they drank seawater because they were thirsty. Three people had to be medically monitored for the rest of the route.
Dr. Gustav Buescher, on-board doctor of German Doctors, emphasises: “During the night, we rescued 76 people in the Mediterranean Sea with the SEA-EYE 5. Initial medical assessment revealed clinical signs of dehydration, hypothermia, seasickness and exhaustion in many of them. A few cases required intensive medical care in the SEA-EYE 5 sick bay, with a focus on monitoring vital signs, intravenous fluid replacement and warming. Fortunately, we were able to achieve adequate stabilisation in all cases. I am pleased that the rapid medical care provided to the patients on SEA-EYE 5 prevented the development of critical health conditions.”
The Italian authorities initially assigned the SEA-EYE 5 to Reggio Calabria. However, after the head of mission drew attention to the severe strain on the rescued people on board due to the deteriorating weather conditions, the crew was finally allowed to proceed to Lampedusa. The vessel reached the Italian island at around 2.30 p.m. on Monday and brought the people safely ashore. One person was taken directly to hospital and two others were treated in a medical centre.
