AFM ‘Immediately Asked Greece’ To Evacuate Four-Year-Old Loujin Upon Learning She Was In Distress
Malta’s Armed Forces (AFM) said they immediately asked the Greek authorities to evacuate a four-year-old asylum seeker after finding out that she was in distress within Malta’s search and rescue zone.
Loujin was part of a group of Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian migrants who recently sailed from Lebanon to Italy seeking work opportunities when their boat ran into trouble in the central Mediterranean.
This fell within Malta’s search and rescue zone, which is a huge stretch of sea, stretching from just off the Tunisian coast to a bit of a way off Crete.
Malta's search and rescue zone as can be seen on the AFM's website
An AFM spokesperson told Lovin Malta that Malta’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC MT) was notified that a boat was in need of rescuing when it was 450 nautical miles off Malta and 70NM off Crete.
The AFM said it acted immediately as soon as it was notified of the case, coordinating the rescue of the migrants, who were sent to Crete as the nearest place of safety, in line with international conventions.
Upon receiving information that a child required medical assistance, RCC Malta immediately requested the Hellenic authorities to evacuate her to Crete.
The AFM said it acted as soon as it was notified that a boat was in need of rescue
This is the AFM’s statement in full
“Following the notification of the case the Rescue Coordination Centre Malta (RCC MT) diverted all available assets to the rescue and coordinated the rescue of the irregular migrants 70 Nm of Crete, the merchant vessel was diverted to the nearest place of safety i.e. Crete in accordance with the applicable Conventions.”
“Upon receiving information for medical assistance from the ship’s captain, RCC Malta immediately requested the Hellenic authorities for the instant evacuation of a child onboard the merchant vessel which was in the vicinity of Crete, Greece.”
“RCC MT was in constant communication with other RCCs to monitor the outcome of the operation.”
“Due to the distance of more than 450Nm if the ship wasn’t immediately diverted by RCC MT to the nearest place of safety, the number of casualties would have been higher.”
A proposed monument for Loujin, created by artist Ġorġ Mallia for Peppi Azzopardi
Activist group Alarm Phone, which said it was in touch with the migrants via a satellite phone, has criticised the Maltese, Greek and Italian authorities for not responding to its repeated requests to launch a rescue mission.
By the time the Greek coast guard intervened, Loujin had died. According to migrants on board, she was one of three children who died due to dehydration before the group was rescued.
A number of people, including PN MP Mark Anthony Sammut and former President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, have criticised the Maltese authorities for their lack of urgency in rescuing Loujin, while journalist Peppi Azzopardi has called for a public monument to be erected in the young girl’s honour.
Moviment Graffitti will hold a vigil in honour of the young girl on Friday.
Cover photo: Left: A port in Chania, Crete. Right: Four-year-old Loujin
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