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A humanitarian relief vessel carrying 629 people is currently stuck in the Mediterranean after Matteo Salvini, the new Italian Interior Minister, reportedly refused to allow him to land in Italian ports.
have enough food to last until tonight – and that rescued migrants ignore the diplomatic stalemate while charities urgently seek a safe harbor.
million. Salvini, whose hard line right wing on immigration has won a record He has vowed to expel half a million illegal migrants from Italy.
He was appointed Minister of the Interior of the country on June 1 after forming an awkward anti-establishment coalition. 19659002] On Sunday evening, Mr. Salvini tweeted an image of himself with the hashtag #chiudiamoiporti (close my door) followed by another saying: "Everyone in Europe is doing his own thing, now he 's the only one. Italy also raises its head STOP illegal immigration. "
Image: 123 unaccompanied minors, 11 children and seven pregnant women on board. Pic: MSF / SOS Mediterranean
The Aquarius vessel, operated jointly by Médecins Sans Frontières and SOS Medeterranee, was denied a port of landing by the Italian authorities although it was asked to save migrants in the same way.
The vessel was asked to ask Malta to provide a port of landing, but Malta also refused.
Several local mayors of Sicily reportedly said the ship could dock in their ports, however, Sky News understands that these offers have not been communicated to charities that are exploiting Aquarius.
Among the migrants on board are 123 unaccompanied minors, 11 children and seven pregnant women. The crew says they have enough food for another two to three days at sea.
Migrants were rescued in several separate operations in the Mediterranean in the last 24 hours – all of which were done at the request of the Italian authorities, which now refuses the landing.
million. Salvini extended the restrictions to another ship chartered by the Sea Watch charity, tweeting Monday that Italy would say no to the ship when it was trying to land in Italy. News, Nick Romaniuk of SOS Medeterranee said: "At 7am, the Italian Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) called our ship to ask for a boat in distress. European Union maritime patrol aircraft spotted two rubber boats and asks Aquarius to change course to perform rescues. "
M. Romaniuk explained: "When Aquarius arrived they launched the lifeboats.The two rubber boats (migrants) were in bad shape and one of them broke up at the 39, arrival of the team.And about forty people were in the water
"The team stabilized the situation and put people safe on Aquarius
" After that, we have carried out three ship transfers from the Italian Coast Guard and an Italian merchant ship
"All these events were coordinated by the MRCC in Rome. The Ministry of the Interior said that Aquarius could not land in Italy because the ports were closed. "
Image: The new Interior Minister Matteo Salvini is committed to expelling half a million illegal migrants." Pic: MSF / SOS Mediterranean
Aquarius appears to be caught in a clash policy with disquieting consequences
The Italian Maritime Rescue Coordination Center operates within the framework of the Italian Coast Guard and is not led by the Ministry of the Interior, which is now under the control of Mr. Salvini with his hard line on immigration.
A few hours after his inauguration, Mr. Salvini reiterates his promise to expel half a million illegal migrants, most of "The good times to the stowaways are over … get ready to pack your bags, "Salvini said, adding that the relief agencies were" surrogates. "Smugglers"
On Sunday night, there are no had no official comment from the min Italian istère of the Interior or the Maltese government who also refused to allow the ship to dock.
Image: Humanitarian aid organizations insist that their role is to save lives and that the return of people to Libya is not an option. Pic: MSF / SOS Mediterranean
Complexities and conflicting views on how to cope with the continued exodus of migrants from the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa to Europe , via Libya, divided the political opinion of the EU
. Relief agencies insist that their role is simply to save lives and that the return of people to Libya is not an option because of the security situation in the country.
BREAK: After an extremely busy night on the Center, the group now has 629 people on board – including 123 unaccompanied minors, 11 children and 7 pregnant women – from six different operations. The ship is now heading north towards a security port
– MSF Sea ()
The rescue of 2 rubber boats became critical when a ship broke into the sea. dark, leaving more than 40 people in the water. After rescuing 229 people from these boats, the following took 400 more, rescued earlier by the Italian Navy, the Italian Coast Guard and Merchant Ships
– MSF Sea ()
UPDATE: continue to head north with 629 people rescued and transferred on board last night under the coordination of the Italian Maritime Rescue Coordination Center. Aquarius still waiting for the allocation of a security port
– MSF Sea ()
A controversial decision of the European Union to provide funding to the Libyan Coast Guard was supposed to improve his ability to carry out his mission. interceptions and rescues before the migrants leave Libyan waters. But many migrant boats, coordinated by traffickers, continue to circulate.
Between January and May this year, more than 22,500 migrants reached European shores: 42% arrived in Italy from Libya and the rest between Greece and Turkey. (38%) and Spain, Morocco (20%), according to the International Organization for Migration at the time, the United Nations Agency for Migration.
who are either held in camps run by smugglers in Libya, or sent back there after unsuccessful attempts to reach Europe, are sinister.
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