NGOs appeal to EU to take in migrants stuck on their boats

German humanitarian groups Sea-Watch and Sea-Eye are appealing to European Union countries to take in 49 migrants stuck on their ships since their rescue in the Mediterranean in December, warning their health is deteriorating.

The two groups told reporters Tuesday in Berlin they have had to ration drinking water and that some migrants had trouble eating due to illness.

Sea Watch member Erik Marquardt asked: “Do people need to die before a solution is found?”

Sea-Watch rescued 32 migrants from a smugglers’ boat in the Mediterranean Dec. 22 within sight of Malta. Seventeen others were saved by Sea-Eye on Dec. 29 and they also are awaiting permission to disembark.

Malta won’t allow disembarkation until deals are reached to distribute the 49 among fellow EU nations.