MSC Orchestra Rescues 16 Migrants Near Sardinia Coast

In the early hours of Monday, the MSC Orchestra shifted from luxury cruise to life-saving mission after it encountered a drifting motorboat carrying 16 migrants off the southwestern coast of Sardinia, Italy.

The cruise ship, traveling from Ibiza to Sardinia as part of a seven-night Western Mediterranean itinerary, spotted the small vessel near Sant'Antioco around 2 a.m., according to reports confirmed by Italian authorities.

Upon sighting the boat, the crew conducted immediate safety checks and confirmed that the individuals onboard posed no threat. The migrants—all Algerian nationals—consisted of 14 men, two women, and one minor. They were brought safely aboard the 293-meter-long cruise liner.

The MSC Orchestra continued its route to Cagliari, where it docked as scheduled and transferred the rescued migrants to local authorities. All individuals were reported to be in good health and were later moved to the First Reception Center in Monastir for identification and immigration procedures.

Passengers on the cruise witnessed the nighttime rescue operation firsthand, which highlighted the increasingly frequent involvement of civilian and commercial vessels in assisting distressed migrants in the Mediterranean region.

Italian officials commended the MSC Orchestra crew for their quick and professional handling of the situation. The ship resumed its itinerary following the successful operation.