The Geo Barents search and rescue ship operated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) docked in the southern port of Salerno on Saturday with 99 migrants it rescued in two operations off the coast of Libya this week, including 53 minors.

41 boys and 12 girls included 37 unaccompanied minors. Many of them were small children and some had difficulty climbing the stairs after the ship docked.

"The 99 people rescued on July 10 landed safely in Salerno this morning. Despite their arduous journey, many faced harassment by the Libyan SSA (security force), forcing many to jump into the water, preferring to risk death at sea rather than be sent back to Libya," MSF wrote on the platform. X.

The migrants, who also included 34 men and 12 women, came mainly from Ivory Coast, Syria, Somalia, Pakistan, Guinea and Burkina Faso.

"There were many children, and many of them unaccompanied, on the Geo Barents ship that docked this morning in the port of Salerno with 99 migrants," Salerno mayor Vincenzo Napoli said via Facebook.

"According to initial information, the vast majority, including women and children, have suffered abuse and all kinds of physical and psychological violence. "It is a great tragedy.

"We, as a municipal administration, will establish support and paths to follow these people who, after the hell they have suffered, come to our country with the hope of a better future." / ANSA