Three Palestinians attempting to cross the Mediterranean on jet ski arrive in Lampedusa

 LAMPEDUSA - In a rather bizarre case, three Palestinians attempted to undertake a risky journey across the Mediterranean on a jet ski, reports Bernt Koschuh.

 The jet ski, a personal watercraft, has been moored at the Lampedusa pier since yesterday, next to the confiscated smugglers' boats. According to their statements, the three Palestinians had reached Libya via Egypt and purchased the jet ski from an internet site. Artist and refugee aid worker Tanja Boukal spoke with the three upon their arrival in Lampedusa:

 “These three Palestinians set out and had tied a small dinghy to the jet ski. One of the three was sitting there. But when the Libyan coast guard arrived, the third switched to the jet ski. They untied the dinghy and continued sailing until they ran out of gas and found themselves in international waters.”

 The three reportedly contacted humanitarian organizations through an emergency hotline, but were ultimately picked up by a vessel from the EU border agency Frontex and taken to Lampedusa along with their jet ski.

rs