MSF report denounces violence and obstruction of lifesaving response in the Central Mediterranean
The report details how, after more than two years of operating under restrictive Italian laws and policies, particularly the Piantedosi Decree and the practice of distant port assignments, the ability of SAR vessels to provide lifesaving assistance was severely limited, ultimately leading to the decision to cease operations on the Geo Barents in December 2024.
Due to the restrictions, the number of people that the Geo Barents was able to rescue declined dramatically in 2024 (2,278) to half the 2023 total (4,646). Despite this, the overall number of medical referrals increased – particularly urgent referrals – which went up by 14 per cent, suggesting that a considerably higher percentage of those rescued were in a critical state and required vital specialist care on land.