We’re saved!
Migrants dance for joy as rescue ship finally docks
EXHAUSTED but elated, migrants danced, sang and cheered yesterday as their rescue ship finally docked in Spain after Italy and Malta had turned them away.
More than 630 refugees from nations including Nigeria, Sudan, Eritrea and Algeria set foot in Valencia more than a week after the charity boat Aquarius saved them from the sea.
They wept as 1,000 Red Cross workers lining the Spanish harbour applauded.
There were seven migrants aged under five, and of all the youngsters aboard, 123 were unaccompanied minors.
The refugees from 26 countries had spent 20 hours in overcrowded rubber dinghies before being rescued by the Aquarius, which is run by the charity SOS Mediterranee.
After being barred by Italian and Maltese officials, they were offered refuge in Spain.
Hundreds – many of them ill or injured – were put into two other boats, the Dattilo and Orione, to alleviate conditions on the four-day trip to Spain.
After all three ships docked, aid workers described the distressing scenes they witnessed during the trip.
Dr David Beversluis said 40 people had fallen into the water when they were rescued and were not breathing when hauled out of the sea.
He added: ‘Last week was terribly difficult for the people on board, for the medical team. Fortunately, despite many difficulties, we were able to provide appropriate medical care to all patients.
‘ Each person we treated came to use with a unique story and a unique history and unique medical problems.
‘ We had several patients come on board with near drowning.’
Dr Beversluis said three people had hypothermia, while others had to be treated for chemical burns after sitting in water polluted by gasoline.
Charity worker Lauren King, who has been on the Aquarius since last year, said one mother had fled her home to save her two toddler daughters from female genital mutilation, adding: ‘Her family and her husband’s family wanted to circumcise her daughters.
‘The only person she told was her sister and they ended up on the boat. Her husband and his family still don’t know. They’re such beautiful, sweet girls.’
Nicola Stalla, of SOS Mediterranee, said: ‘The situation on board was becoming critical.
‘Along the voyage, we had to receive additional supplies and we faced severe weather conditions. It has been an odyssey – something that should never repeat itself.’
The Dattilo, an Italian coastguard boat, was the first to dock in Valencia yesterday, carrying 274 migrants, including a pregnant woman.
The Orione, an Italian naval vessel, then entered the harbour with 250 migrants, followed by the Aquarius itself carrying 106.
Spanish police spokesman Bernardo Alonso said that, because of their ordeal, the migrants have been granted special permission to remain in the country for 45 days before their legal status is dealt with. The country’s new socialist government has pledged free healthcare and says it will investigate each asylum case.
Jose Luis Abalos, Spain’s minister of public works, said: ‘Spain will act with sensitivity... with a message to Europe that it doesn’t have an immigration policy up to the challenge.’
‘We faced severe weather’