07.06.2026 19:40
48 Somali migrants fighting for their lives off the coast of Malta were rescued at the last moment by the crew of a Turkish fishing vessel operating in international waters. The Turkish sailors evacuated the migrants from a boat that was taking on water and about to sink onto the ship "Tuncay Sagun 2," providing first aid, food, and water to the exhausted refugees. It was also reported that there were fatalities on the boat.
Turkish sailors once again became a lifeline for irregular migrants fighting for survival in the Mediterranean. A boat carrying 48 Somali migrants, about to sink in international waters off the coast of Malta, was spotted at the last moment and rescued by the crew of a Turkish fishing vessel in the area.
LIFE-OR-DEATH STRUGGLE ON MIGRANT BOAT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Personnel of a vessel belonging to the Istanbul-based Group Sagun fleet, which conducts bluefin tuna fishing activities in international waters, detected a migrant boat taking on water and about to sink off the coast of Malta. Seeing the great life-or-death struggle on the boat carrying 48 Somali migrants, the Turkish sailors immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation.
FIRST AID PROVIDED ON THE 'TUNCAY SAGUN 2' VESSEL
Thanks to the swift and professional intervention of the Turkish ship crew, all migrants on the boat were safely evacuated to the Turkish vessel named 'Tuncay Sagun 2.' The exhausted migrants, brought onto the deck, received initial medical assistance from the sailors. The urgent food and clean water needs of the Somalis, estimated to have been hungry and thirsty for days, were quickly met by the ship's crew.
CASUALTIES IN THE TRAGEDY
The Turkish sailors who carried out the rescue operation reported that there were also individuals who lost their lives on the boat before they reached the area. No clear data has yet been shared regarding the number of migrants who died.
The Tuncay Sagun 2 vessel, which provided necessary humanitarian and medical support, left the area in coordination with the Maltese Coast Guard to safely deliver the 48 rescued migrants.