Italian authorities have detained five NGO rescue vessels in the past six weeks, prompting criticism from campaigners who fear an increase in migrant fatalities in the Mediterranean. The Berlin-based NGO Sea-Watch's vessel, the Aurora, was detained in Lampedusa for 20 days after rescuing approximately 70 people in international waters. Sea-Watch stated the detention was politically motivated and that the decision to bring rescued individuals to the closer port of Lampedusa, due to severe weather, was the reason for the detention. A smaller support vessel, the Dakini, was also detained.

Similar detentions have affected other NGOs, including ResQship's Nadir and Sea-Eye's vessel, with accusations of non-compliance with Italian authorities' instructions on sea rescues. These instructions include restrictions on responding to multiple distress calls and mandatory travel to distant ports in northern Italy. Campaigners argue the detentions, totaling 29 incidents since early 2023 resulting in 700 days of lost rescue time, are part of a broader effort to prevent NGOs from assisting migrants. Smaller support vessels are now also being targeted. This year has already seen over 800 migrant deaths in the Mediterranean, with the actual number likely much higher.

The impact of these actions is a predicted increase in migrant deaths at sea due to the reduced presence of NGO rescue vessels, alongside the risk of human rights violations going unreported.