Islamophobic and anti-immigrant ship needed rescuing

The C-Star ship, run by the anti-immigration group Defend Europe, faced technical difficulties in the Mediterranean and had to be rescued by NGO volunteers, the Telegraph Reported.

Defend Europe has been engaged in a zealous campaign against welcoming refugees, labeling the refugee crisis as an “invasion” and a threat to Europe. The far-right, anti-Muslim group has endeavoured to thwart the efforts of humanitarian organisations that rescue migrants and refugees in the Mediterranean.  The group consists of young people from Italy, Austria, France, and Germany, and has been compared to America’s alt-right movement.

A number of NGOs operating rescue ships in the region have expressed concerns about Defend Europe’s efforts to put vulnerable lives further at risk.  Since the start of this year, 2385 migrants have lost their lives on the central Mediterranean route.

On the morning of 11 August, the crew of the C-Star reported engine damage and issued a distress call to the Italian coastguard. The distress call was then flagged to a nearby German humanitarian vessel, Sea-Eye, which came to the aid of the C-Star.

Ironically, the C-star crew found themselves needing assistance from one of the organisations they have so ardently opposed.

Sea-Eye Chairman Michael Buschheuer commented: “To help distressed persons is the duty of everyone who is at sea – indifferent to their origin, skin color, religion or spirit.”

Since the start of this year, 2385 migrants have lost their lives on the central Mediterranean route. A number of NGOs operating rescue ships in the region have expressed concerns about Defend Europe’s efforts to put vulnerable lives further at risk.