Last night the sailing boat engaged in Mediterranea Saving Human’s Mission 20 rescued 77 people in life-threatening conditions in international waters.

The people, fleeing from Libia, were on a boat that left 3 days ago from Zuara, drifting with a engine failure and about to sink in the Maltese SAR area, 36 miles south of Lampedusa.

The rescue was possible thanks to a report from Watch The Med - Alarm Phone.

Rescue operations were complex due to the condition of the people, exhausted and panicked, and the boat, which was already taking on water.

Our medical team had to provide emergency medical treatment to a woman who was severely intoxicated by fuel smokes. She is now thankfully stable.

All 77 people rescued - including three young children aged 2, 3 and 4 - are now safe, assisted by our Crew, on board Safira which is sailing north.

After our communications with Malta went unanswered, we requested support and assistance from the Italian authorities.

A few minutes ago we were assigned Lampedusa as a safe harbour for disembarkation.