UNIFIL rescues boat carrying 37 illegal immigrants, one of them dead

UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenanti announced in a statement that “a ship belonging to the UNIFIL maritime force, this morning, has located a ship outside Lebanese territorial waters carrying 37 people on board, and unfortunately one of them has died. “

He said: “The priority for UNIFIL peacekeepers was to rescue the remaining 36 people and ensure their safety by providing them immediate assistance. The UNIFIL Maritime Task Force immediately informed the Lebanese authorities.”

“Immediate medical treatment is being provided to the 36 survivors on board the UNIFIL Maritime Force ship before they are transferred to the Lebanese authorities. At this time, the UNIFIL maritime force ship is heading towards the port. from Beirut, “he added.

It noted that “the UNIFIL Chief of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Stefano Del Col, considered this to be a very tragic incident, and the peacekeepers of the UNIFIL Maritime Task Force UNIFIL is doing everything possible to save the lives of these people. Our first priority is to ensure the safety of the 36 people we just saved. “

The statement concluded: “The UNIFIL Maritime Force is the first of its kind in United Nations peacekeeping missions, and has been deployed at the request of the Lebanese government to assist the Lebanese Navy in securing regional waters. and help prevent the unauthorized entry of weapons or related materials by sea in addition, the UNIFIL Maritime Task Force is working with the Lebanese Navy to enhance its ability to secure its maritime borders and take effective security control over Lebanese territorial waters The UNIFIL Maritime Force has also participated in humanitarian efforts in the past when requested to do so.