Podcast: "One day, 52 senseless deaths"

"One day, two wooden boats, one rubber dinghy, one helivac, over a thousand people rescued by three ships, and fifty-two perfectly senseless deaths."

Canadian doctor Simon Bryant discusses his time on board an MSF search and rescue ship in the Mediterranean.

The story heard in this week's episode comes from a blog Simon kept while aboard the Phoenix, a ship MSF ran in partnership with Migrant Offshore Aid Station.

"There was enough light from the small hatches, and my headlamp, to make out a tragic tangle of bodies. At that point training cut in and emotions took a back seat, though the adrenaline flowed..."

simon bryantmsf doctor

This extract is taken from 'Yet again', published 31 August 2015.

Read more about Simon's time on the Mediterranean in our 'Moving Stories' blog about the European refugee crisis.

Photos of Simon during his mission on board the Phoenix

Taking a rest after a long day. The night sky is incredible in the middle of the sea. Thank you all so much for joining us today! For a recap of today’s events visit our live blog http://msf.ca/sea and keep up to date with the crew of the Phoenix on our blog http://blogs.msf.org/en/staff/blogs/moving-stories #MSFsea

A photo posted by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) (@doctorswithoutborders) on

Jun 19, 2015 at 2:05pm PDT

After a long journey on the sea, people are typically hungry and dehydrated so we distribute food and water. We also distribute blankets to keep everyone on the Phoenix warm. It can get pretty cold during nights at sea. #MSFsea

A photo posted by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) (@doctorswithoutborders) on

Jun 19, 2015 at 9:35am PDT

Video footage captured by the Swedish coastguard, 26 August 2015