Press release dated April 23, 2026:
Three-fold operation in the Mediterranean
Sailing ship NADIR evacuates 47 people from abandoned oil platform
The sailing ship NADIR, operated by the German NGO RESQHIP, assisted a total of 90 people in distress in the central Mediterranean. During three consecutive operations, the crew of the NADIR first evacuated 47 people from the abandoned Didon oil platform in international waters. Just a few hours later, they encountered a further 43 people in distress on two unseaworthy boats.
On the evening of 21 April, the NADIR, a sailing vessel operated by the German NGO RESQSHIP as a monitoring ship, found 47 people stranded on an abandoned oil platform. The people had been marooned on the abandoned oil platform Didon in the Libyan Search and Rescue (SAR) zone around 10 hours earlier. While the NADIR’s crew were preparing for the evacuation, a speedboat belonging to the so-called Libyan Coast Guard arrived. In recent months, civilian actors have repeatedly found themselves facing violent confrontation with militias. Fortunately, the transfer from the oil platform to the NADIR took place safely and without interference.
In recent weeks and months, there have been several evacuations of refugees who had become stranded on or abandoned or active oil rigs in the Mediterranean.
“It is unbearable to think that people, including many children and pregnant women, are forced to spend hours on end on such structures. On these platforms, they are exposed to the elements with no protection. They cling to the mere hope of being found. And all because the EU refuses to grant them safe passage!”
– Francesca Renon, crew member
Shortly after the evacuation was completed, the NADIR was informed by Alarm Phone, a civilian emergency hotline, of another distress case in Tunisian waters.
In consultation with the relevant Tunisian authorities, the NADIR located people in distress on a small wooden boat at four o’clock in the morning. While the crew were preparing to evacuate the 24 individuals, another unseaworthy boat suddenly approached. The NADIR crew took the additional 19 people on board as well.
“Most of the civilian rescue assets are currently detained in Italian ports. At the same time, we are witnessing the deadliest start to the year since records began. The fact that we had to provide assistance in three consecutive operations last night highlights even more how urgently our work is needed on the refugee route.”
– Lina von Dobschütz, Board Member
With 90 people on board, the NADIR set off directly for Lampedusa, the assigned port of safety, in the early hours of the morning. All the survivors were able to disembark safely there in the evening – including a pregnant woman, several minors, two toddlers and a baby.
Press Contact: Merle Dammhayn
Mail: presse@resqship.org
Phone: +39 331 4218860
Photo credit: Erica Varone | RESQSHIP
