True or false?Does the EU leave migrants to drown?

The EU has deployed a number of operations in the Mediterranean, using ships to rescue migrants in danger. These operations are managed by Frontex, its border and coastguard agency. But over the last six years, these operations have become increasingly security-orientated and less humanitarian in focus. Operation Sophia, which was set up in 2015 and saved many migrants from drowning, was replaced in 2020 by Operation Irini, which mainly carries out air patrols to prevent arms trafficking. So is the EU leaving migrants to drown in the sea?

This programme by Belgian broadcaster RTBF is part of the European Collection, a joint initiative from European public service media (ARD, ARTE, France Télévisions, SRG SSR, RTBF and ZDF), coordinated by ARTE.