Shipwreck off Libyan coast: survivors have burns over 75% of their body

September 12, 2018

Credits: REUTERS/Hani Amara

More than 100 people, including at least 20 children, died in the sinking of two boats off the Libyan coast on September 1, reported Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Monday. The survivors - including pregnant women, children, and even babies - were rescued by the Libyan coastguard. Some suffer from serious injuries, including chemical burns.

"We were able to deal with 18 medical emergencies, including 9 people with severe chemical burns - up to 75% of the body. We have organized the transfer to the hospital of a person in a particularly critical state: without rapid access to intensive care in hospital, this person would probably be dead, "says Jai Defranciscis, MSF nurse based in Misrata, north West of Libya.