German charity ship rescues 64 migrants off Libya
Charities frequently accuse the Libyan authorities of failing to rescue migrants
ROME (AFP) - A German charity rescue ship has picked up 64 migrants, including women and children, stranded off Libya while trying to cross the Mediterranean for Europe.
The Watch the Med association said it received a call for help from the stricken inflatable on Wednesday.
"The authorities were unreachable," Watch the Med said of the Libyan coastguard charged with search and rescue operations in the zone off Zouara.
Charities frequently accuse the Libyan authorities of failing to rescue migrants, while rights groups say migrants face abuses in Libya.
Instead, German charity Sea-Watch s Alan Kurdi rescue vessel went to rescue the migrants.
"They re all safe and sound on board our vessel," Sea-Eye said.
"The Libyan coastguard is not answering or rescuing"
