Malta sea rescues plummet as Libyan pushbacks soar in years since migration deal

Malta sea rescues plummet as Libyan pushbacks soar in years since migration deal

Rescues of migrant boats by Malta's armed forces dropped by 90% in the years since Malta signed a secretive migration coordination deal with Libya, while interceptions by Libyan militia forces surged by a staggering 230%, recent data shows.In 2020, migrant boats were roughly three times more likely to be rescued by Armed Forces Malta (AFM)...

Malta rescues down 90%, Libya intercepts up 230%

Malta’s involvement in rescuing migrant boats in the Mediterranean has declined precipitously since 2020, with new analysis showing a 90 per cent drop in operations by the island nation’s armed forces alongside a corresponding 230 per cent increase in interceptions by Libyan authorities. The stark figures, compiled by The Times of Malta through a comprehensive […] The post Malta rescues down 90%, Libya intercepts up 230% appeared first on Libyan…

Malta Sees 90% Fall in Sea Rescues After Libya “Secret” Deal

Rescues of migrant boats by Malta’s Armed Forces have dropped by 90% since the launch of a secretive migration coordination centre with Libya in 2020, while interceptions by the Libyan Coast Guard surged by 230%, according to new data published by Times of Malta newspaper. In 2020, migrants in distress within Malta’s search and rescue (SAR) zone were three times more likely to be rescued by Maltese authorities than intercepted by Libyan vessels.…