It was an intervention made difficult by adverse weather conditions, the Geo Barents rescue operation for the almost 500 people on board a boat reported by the Alarm Phone, identified in international waters, off the coast of Libya, but in the SAR area of Malta's competence.
It took more than 11 hours of delicate operations, but now - says Doctors Without Borders - the rescue has ended and a total of 440 people, including 8 women and 30 children, are now safe on board the Geo Barents and assisted by the team.
Now it is not excluded that the Italian authorities could take charge of the rescue by offering support and a safe haven to Geo Barents and its cargo of human beings.
The boat in distress was reported on Monday by the NGO Alarm Phone off the coast of Libya, in international waters but in the Maltese search and rescue area (SAR), struggling with stormy seas. The MSF ship put "Mike" and "Orca", two rigid-keel inflatable boats that boarded the fishing boat, in the water.