Hundreds of EU-bound African migrants were rescued in the Mediterranean
Sea this week. Each rescue brings with it people and stories from all
over the world. Among those rescued by MOAS crew are Lucky and Mary, a
young engaged couple from Nigerian.
Both were rescued in a 48-hour period in which over 10,000 people were
assisted by search and rescue operations while attempting the Central
Mediterranean crossing.
Although Lucky and Mary left the beaches of Libya on the same night,
they were placed in separate wooden boats by the smugglers who had
promised them a safe journey to Europe. Lucky’s boat was rescued by MOAS
in the early hours of the morning. Immediately, he asked the MOAS crew
and the Red Cross team on board to help him find his fiancée. Having
realised the huge danger of their situation – he now knew that there was
no way either of their unseaworthy boats could have ever reached Europe
– he had to wait for several excruciating hours before Mary’s boat was
finally rescued by the Responder.
Lucky and Mary claimed they were forced to flee Nigeria over threats of
death. For Lucky, the time came when his mother was killed and he feared
that he would be targeted next. For Mary, an orphan, it was when life
with her abusive uncle became too much to bear. When the Red Cross asked
Mary why she loved Lucky, she replied, "He was there when there was no
hope". Now, the couple’s hope is that they will be able to build a safe
and secure life in Europe
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