New birth in Operation Sophia
(B2) Spring has arrived in a somewhat unusual way for the EUNAVFOR Med / Sophia operation to combat human and arms trafficking in the Mediterranean. "Immanuel". This is the first name of the baby born on the night of March 20 to 21 aboard the frigate Canary Islands (F-86), hours after his mother, and 1800 other migrants, were rescued off the coast of Libya.
Mother rescued off Libya
The sea was rough on Monday March 20, and the makeshift migrant ships trying to reach Europe were quickly wrecked. Off the Libyan coast, the Spanish frigate coordinated the rescue of more than 1800 migrants during six operations. At the end of the day, the Canary Islands sets course for the Italian port of Mesina. On board, 638 migrants including nine pregnant women. Among them, Adesuwa, a young Nigerian.
Birth and baptism on board
It was around midnight that the young woman broke the waters and was taken care of by the ship's medical team. The delivery took place without any complications, according to the Spanish navy. Emmanuel was born at 2:10 a.m. Spanish time, in perfect health. At the request of the mother, a Catholic, and taking advantage of the presence of a chaplain, the child was baptized. Her godfather is the ship's doctor who witnessed the birth.
Transfer to an Italian hospital, without controversy
When the ship arrived in Mesina, mother and child were sent to a hospital in the city. They will then be taken care of, like any other migrant. Emmanuel, although born on a Spanish ship, is not automatically entitled to Spanish nationality. A debate that seems to have been settled by Spain, after the controversy last December. Read : Muna, the newborn baby 'EUnavfor Med' sparks controversy in Spain
(Leonor Hubaut)
