Spanish NGO halts Mediterranean rescue operations, citing fuel prices
SMH says it can no longer afford search-and-rescue work in one of the world's most dangerous migration routes.
Key points
- Spanish charity SMH has postponed its Central Mediterranean migrant rescue mission until next year because of rising fuel costs.
- About 60,000 migrants and refugees reached Europe by boat so far in 2026, down 39 percent from roughly 98,000 in the same period last year.
- At least 2,292 people died or went missing attempting the crossing this year.
A Spanish charity has postponed its next migrant rescue mission in the Central Mediterranean until next year because of rising fuel costs. Salvamento Maritimo Humanitario, also known as Humanitarian Maritime Rescue or SMH, said on Wednesday that the doubling of fuel prices forced it to move its activities to waters around Valencia in southeastern Spain.
The group operates a fishing vessel converted into a rescue ship and has launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover the extra costs. The Central Mediterranean crossing from North Africa to Italy is one of the world's most dangerous migration routes.
Migrant crossings fall
A report from the International Office for Migration said migrant sea crossings have dropped sharply since January this year. The agency said about 60,000 migrants and refugees reached Europe by boat so far in 2026, down 39 percent from roughly 98,000 over the same period last year.
Despite the drop, at least 2,292 people died or went missing attempting the crossing this year. Many of those who attempt it travel on overcrowded, unsuitable boats from Libya's coast, a main transit point for migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East.
The doubling of fuel prices forced it to shift its activities to waters around Valencia
— Salvamento Maritimo Humanitario
Other NGOs affected
Spanish NGO Open Arms has said it scaled back its Central Mediterranean missions in recent years, also due to rising fuel costs and Italy's policy of assigning rescue vessels ports in Northern Italy. NGO ships from Spain typically sail for two to three days to reach their operating area, increasing costs and reducing time available for search-and-rescue work.
The Italian prime minister's right-wing, anti-immigration government says humanitarian rescue attempts encourage migrants to make the crossing.
