Stories of survivors

Neerav, a 32-year-old father of two from Bangladesh, was among 139 people rescued on November 6th from an unseaworthy wooden boat. He spent over 10 hours on the lower deck with dozens of others, surrounded by fuel fumes and struggling to breathe.

Kojo*, a 20-year-old from Ghana, was rescued on November 6, 2024, along with 37 other people. They were found in a rubber boat in the Maltese Search and Rescue Region. 

Drissa, age 25, left Mali due to violent attacks by armed groups in his village. On February 23, 2025, he was rescued from a fiberglass boat in the Libyan Search and Rescue Region. His account reflects the risks faced by many individuals fleeing conflict in the Sahel region.

SOS MEDITERRANEE rescue: Kidnapped in Libya, defrauded of $16k, Yazidi newlyweds Samia and Nari still chase a safe future for their first child.

From Lebanon to Libya to the Mediterranean: Mohamed’s survival, the loss of a child, and his dream to study safely in Norway.

Aisha*, 39, comes from Douala, Cameroon. A women’s rights activist, she had to flee her country after being arrested and tortured for denouncing violence against women in the war-torn English-speaking regions. Her exile took her to Russia before she tried to rebuild her life in Libya.