Dozens of migrants search refuge on Mediterranean oil rig | Migration Information

Rescuers say 65-70 individuals have been on a Shell oil platform the place that they had been ‘holding out all night time’.

As much as 70 migrants looking for to cross the Mediterranean have taken refuge on an oil platform earlier than being handed over to Tunisian authorities, power large Shell and a rescue charity have stated.

Rescue ship Louise Michel introduced in a press release on Tuesday it had rescued 31 individuals from a drifting picket boat in poor climate whereas “one other 65-70 individuals have been holding out all night time on the Shell oil platform” onto which that they had climbed.

Shell in Tunisia confirmed that an unspecified variety of migrants had reached its Miskar platform, positioned roughly 120km (75 miles) off the coast of Tunisia, at 8pm Tunis time (19:00 GMT) on Monday.

“The migrants have been assisted and supplied with water, meals and dry garments,” the corporate stated, including that it had knowledgeable the Tunisian authorities.

It added, “The migrants have been since safely transferred to the Tunisian Navy vessel on January 4, 2022 at round 2pm Tunis time”.

The Louise Michel is a 30-metre (98-foot) former French navy vessel adorned by elusive British artist Banksy, one among its sponsors.

It’s one among a number of rescue ships working within the Mediterranean, as tens of 1000’s of migrants attempt to attain Europe annually, usually in leaky and overcrowded boats.

It’s not uncommon for a few of these stranded to hunt refuge on offshore oil platforms, though operators warn it may be harmful.

Greater than 115,000 individuals arrived by sea in Italy, Greece, Spain, Cyprus and Malta final 12 months, whereas roughly 1,800 died or went lacking, in accordance with the UN refugee company (UNHCR).