Ocean Viking - Medevac of a Pregnant Woman

On 11 September, 2019, a 9-month pregnant woman and her husband were medically evacuated from the Ocean Viking search and rescue ship to Malta after the woman developed serious medical complications.

The Ocean Viking has once again requested a place of safety for the prompt disembarkation of the remaining 82 survivors on board.

MSF284686

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Exhibition - Women's access to healthcare, a priority for MSF

Ocean Viking - Search and Rescue Activities New Ship - Photos

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Unique Identifier Code / URN MSF284686

Date taken / Date Recorded 11/09/2019 12:00 AM

Country Mediterranean Sea

Commissioning section MSF-NETHERLANDS

Photographer / videographer / producer Hannah Wallace Bowman

Usage Rights (MSF) External Media, MSF Publications, Social Media

Formal Consent Copy available yes

Editor's rating ★★★ (F)

Maximum Size 6000px × 4000px 1.87 MB

Additional Information / Shotlist Quote: Erkinalp Kesikli, MSF Project Coordinator on board the Ocean Viking.

"A nine month pregnant woman and her husband, rescued at sea by the Ocean Viking on Sunday, 8 September, were medically evacuated to Malta on Wednesday, 11 September.

Initial assessments indicated that they were doing well, but on 11 September an examination by the MSF midwife and medical team on board indicated that the mother had developed a serious medical complication which could put her and the baby at risk. While patrolling international waters, 80 nautical miles south of Lampedusa, the Ocean Viking contacted the closest maritime authorities to request an immediate medical evacuation. Maltese authorities later responded, allowing the family to be safely evacuated.

For most people, it is probably unthinkable that a heavily pregnant woman, or a family with children, might make the decision to risk their lives at sea rather than remaining in Libya. But amongst the patients seen so far by the MSF medics on board, many show scars of physical violence, including gunshot and stab wounds.

They tell our medics their skin was burned with melted plastic, and they were beaten with wooden or metal sticks. These are just the physical injuries. There are even more horrific stories of abuse and exploitation that have left many with psychological wounds or trauma.

82 rescued people remain on board the Ocean Viking, waiting for a safe port to be designated to bring their ordeal at sea to an end.

The Ocean Viking has now escalated the request for a place of safety to the Italian and Maltese authorities after the Libyan Rescue Coordination Centre suggested we take these people back to Libya, in violation of international law.

European States must take a hard look at the role they are playing in further traumatizing these people by unnecessarily delaying their disembarkation in a place of safety, and continuing to support a system that traps them in Libya."