The case was brought by 17 applicants nationals of Nigeria and Ghana. The applicants sent a distress signalled to the Italian Coast Guard to be rescued in the Mediterranean. The Italian authorities notified the so-called Libyan Coast Guard who engaged in dangerous maneouvers during the rescue operation leading to the drowning of multiple persons, including the applicants’ two children. Sea Watch 3 rescued 15 of the applicants, currently present in Italy. Two applicants, R.J. and E.R.O., who remained on board of the Libyan vessel were allegedly tied up with ropes, beaten and threatened by the crew; they were taken to a detention camp in Tajura, Libya, where they were allegedly subjected to ill-treatment and violence. On an unspecified date, they were repatriated to Nigeria under the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Assisted Voluntary Humanitarian Return programme.