On Tuesday, the rescue ship Ocean Viking successfully pulled 48 migrants from the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya, most of whom were unaccompanied minors.
The Marseille-based aid group SOS Mediterranee, which operates the vessel, confirmed the rescue on Wednesday.
The migrants, who were packed into an overcrowded small boat, were identified as being primarily from The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau.
SOS Mediterranee noted that a staggering 90 percent of those rescued were underage and unaccompanied, highlighting the vulnerability of these individuals making the perilous journey.
The rescue operation was triggered after a NATO aircraft alerted Ocean Viking about the stranded boat via VHF radio.
Upon arrival, the crew found the migrants in dire conditions and swiftly transported them to safety. The survivors are now resting in the ship’s on-board shelters, receiving necessary care and attention.
The incident underscores the ongoing refugee crisis in the Mediterranean, with many migrants fleeing poverty and instability in their home countries.
Guinea-Bissau, one of the poorest and most corrupt nations in Africa, is among the regions contributing to the growing number of migrants seeking a better life in Europe.
However, SOS Mediterranee raised concerns about the lengthy journey ahead for the rescued individuals.
Italian authorities authorized the Ocean Viking to disembark the migrants at the distant port of Ravenna, nearly 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) away, a four-day journey by sea.
The aid group criticized this practice, stating that it reduces search and rescue resources in the Mediterranean and exacerbates the suffering of those in need of urgent assistance.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), around 1,985 people have either gone missing or died attempting to cross the Mediterranean this year alone, highlighting the perilous nature of the route to Europe and the urgent need for more robust humanitarian intervention.