# NGO migrant rescues in the Mediterranean > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ngo-migrant-rescues-in-the-mediterranean > Updated: 2026-08-20T12:58:13.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 3. The NGO vessel Emergency Life Support has conducted multiple rescue operations in the central Mediterranean involving migrants fleeing conflict and humanitarian crises. On 30 July, the vessel rescued 28 people, including four unaccompanied minors from Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Pakistan. During this mission, Captain Jonathan Nanì La Terra reported that the ship faced “repeated interference from Libyan vessels” that attempted to force the ship northward. The group was directed to the Italian port of Ortona. On 17 August, the vessel rescued 50 migrants from an overcrowded wooden boat in the international waters of the Libyan Search and Rescue zone. The group, consisting of 45 men and five women, included 29 unaccompanied minors. Seven migrants were found dead on the vessel, having succumbed during the crossing. Nine survivors required medical assistance, including two individuals in critical condition due to suffocation who required urgent medical evacuation. The survivors, who are nationals of Somalia and Egypt, reported departing from the Libyan coastal city of Zuwara on 16 August. Italian authorities designated the port of Bari as the landing site. The NGO expressed concern that the distance to the assigned port might cause “further suffering to the vulnerable survivors.” On 20 August, additional migrant arrivals were reported in Italy. The NGO SOS Humanity vessel Humanity 1 brought 73 people, including 54 from Sudan, to Ravenna, while the Ocean Viking landed 55 migrants in Ortona. The Life Support vessel arrived in Bari with 48 survivors, including 31 unaccompanied minors, alongside the bodies of seven deceased individuals. Emergency officials reiterated their criticism of the assignment of distant ports, noting it increases suffering for vulnerable people. ## Claims - Two migrants were in critical condition due to suffocation. (disputed by 15 sources) - Nine survivors require medical assistance. (disputed by 12 sources) - Seven migrants died during the crossing. (corroborated by 15 sources) - The migrants departed from Zuwara, Libya, on August 16. (corroborated by 15 sources) - The Life Support vessel rescued 50 migrants in international waters within the Libyan SAR zone. (corroborated by 14 sources) - The rescued group included 29 unaccompanied minors. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Italian authorities assigned the port of Bari for the migrants' disembarkation. (corroborated by 14 sources) - The migrants are from Somalia and Egypt. (corroborated by 13 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-20: Mediterranean reports multiple migrant arrivals and environmental recovery Recent Mediterranean activity includes multiple migrant arrivals in Ravenna, Ortona, and Bari, alongside the recovery of a 4-ton abandoned 'ghost net' by CNR researchers in the Tyrrhenian Sea. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bari-port-receives-48-migrants-and-7-deceased-from-emergency-rescue-ship ### 2026-08-17: Emergency rescue ship Life Support saves 50 migrants off Libya The Emergency vessel Life Support rescued 50 migrants, including 29 unaccompanied minors, from a wooden boat off Libya. Seven people died, and two survivors remain in critical condition. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/migrant-rescue-operations-in-the-mediterranean-result-in-multiple-deaths ### 2026-07-31: Emergency Life Support ship rescues 28 migrants, heads to Ortona port EMERGENCY's ship rescued 28 migrants, including four minors, from the central Mediterranean and is sailing to Ortona, Italy, after facing Libyan interference. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emergency-life-support-ship-rescues-28-migrants-heads-to-ortona-port --- Cite as: NGO migrant rescues in the Mediterranean. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ngo-migrant-rescues-in-the-mediterranean