Mercy for stranded migrants
Spain to give them refuge
SPAIN has offered sanctuary to 629 desperate migrants stuck on a rescue ship – after both Italy and Malta refused to let it dock.
The Africans were saved from death after being plucked by the Aquarius crew from collapsing inflatables off the coast of Libya.
Those rescued include seven pregnant women, 123 lone children and 15 people with chemical burns from fuel leaks.
Journalist Anelise Borges, who is on Aquarius, said: “Most are sleeping outside. They are obviously exhausted. They had been at sea for 20 to 30 hours prior to their rescue.”
It is the first time Italy has not let the rescued disembark since the migrant crisis erupted four years ago. Matteo Salvini, leader of the anti-immigration League party and a key figure in Italy’s new coalition, said: “Saving lives is a duty, turning Italy into a huge refugee camp is not.”
However the mayors of a several Italian ports, including Naples and Palermo, said they’d welcome the migrants.
Palermo’s Leoluca Orlando accused Salvini of “violating international law.” Elisa De Pieri, of Amnesty, said: “Italy and Malta have turned their backs on [the] desperate and vulnerable.”
Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez said the ship would be allowed to dock in Valencia. His spokesman said: “It is our duty to help avoid a catastrophe.”
Aquarius is run by German charity SOS Mediterranean and Medecins Sans Frontieres.