Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

Families rescued off Libya allowed to land in Italy

-

Families with children saved in the Mediterranean by the German charity Sea-Watch were given permission to land in Italy Friday, despite the interior minister's "closed ports" policy.

"Italian authorities have informed us of their availability to disembark families on board: children, mothers, fathers," Sea-Watch said on Twitter, two days after it rescued 65 migrants in distress off Libya.

Crew aboard the Dutch-flagged Sea-Watch 3 had warned the migrants needed medical and psychological care.

Seven children were disembarked, along with seven mothers, three fathers and an injured man, the interior ministry said.

Save the Children had appealed earlier Friday for an end to the odyssey of those who had risked the perilous crossing from North Africa to seek safety in Europe.

As the Italian coast guard began transferring the families to the island of Lampedusa, the charity insisted the remaining migrants should be allowed off too.

"All lives are equal, and have the right to a port of safety.

"If Italy's not willing to do so, the EU must shoulder its responsibilities and find a solution," it said on Twitter.

On Wednesday, far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini had issued a snap directive banning the Sea Watch vessel from entering Italian territorial waters, saying "our ports are and remain closed" -- a statement he repeated Friday.

Families with children saved in the Mediterranean by the German charity Sea-Watch were given permission to land in Italy Friday, despite the interior minister’s “closed ports” policy.

“Italian authorities have informed us of their availability to disembark families on board: children, mothers, fathers,” Sea-Watch said on Twitter, two days after it rescued 65 migrants in distress off Libya.

Crew aboard the Dutch-flagged Sea-Watch 3 had warned the migrants needed medical and psychological care.

Seven children were disembarked, along with seven mothers, three fathers and an injured man, the interior ministry said.

Save the Children had appealed earlier Friday for an end to the odyssey of those who had risked the perilous crossing from North Africa to seek safety in Europe.

As the Italian coast guard began transferring the families to the island of Lampedusa, the charity insisted the remaining migrants should be allowed off too.

“All lives are equal, and have the right to a port of safety.

“If Italy’s not willing to do so, the EU must shoulder its responsibilities and find a solution,” it said on Twitter.

On Wednesday, far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini had issued a snap directive banning the Sea Watch vessel from entering Italian territorial waters, saying “our ports are and remain closed” — a statement he repeated Friday.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

You may also like:

Business

This cluster MUST be fixed, ASAP. It’s too dangerous to be allowed to continue.

Entertainment

Actresses Nancy McKeon ("The Facts of Life") and Johanna Day portrayed "Pen Pals" in Off-Broadway play.

Business

"Nobody wants to be associated with Musk's behaviour," said German automotive industry expert Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer.

World

Palestinians cross the Netzarim Corridor as they make their way to the north of Gaza - Copyright AFP Eyad BABAAFP team in Gaza City...