The holiday idyll of Mediterranean tourists was dramatically interrupted on Monday afternoon. A cruise ship was called to assist a refugee boat in distress off the coast of Sicily – the sailing yacht, completely overcrowded with dozens of people, eventually docked along the Aida Blu.
According to rtl.de, a crowd arose on the Aida Blu around 12:00 p.m.: “Our ship was called by the Italian authorities to rescue a sailboat in distress,” an Aida spokesperson told the broadcaster.
Refugees were provided with drinks
“On site, instead of a sailboat in distress, the crew discovered a yacht whose maximum passenger capacity was well exceeded,” the company continued. The boat eventually docked on the port side of the 252-meter cruise ship. The approximately forty migrants were cared for by the crew and provided with life jackets and drinks.
Eyewitnesses filmed the dramatic maneuver:
Holidaymaker: ‘Refugees have probably been in need for a long time’
Naturally, the spectacle was also noticed by tourists. “We wondered: will the Aida captain take her on board? Is he even allowed to do that?”, reports a holidaymaker. It seemed unclear what the crew would do next. “I had the impression that people had been in need for a long time,” said the passenger. There were about 40 people on the sailboat, including women and children.
Ultimately, the refugees were not allowed onto the Aida Blu. “The people on the ship were not in immediate danger to their lives. The situation was under control at all times,” the Aida spokesperson said. After a while, the Italian coast guard arrived and took over the sailboat. The eyewitness will probably not forget the incident so quickly: “It’s crazy. Two worlds meet out of nowhere. “We here on the cruise ship and there are the poor people who have nothing,” she told RTL.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
