Ship of migrants arrives in Malta
German aid crew to be investigated over rescue orders
VALLETTA, Malta — Ahumanitarian rescue ship blocked at sea for nearly a week as European nations quibbled over its fate arrived Wednesday evening in Malta to disembark 234 migrants, ending Europe’s second impasse in recent weeks over the fate of people saved at sea amid rising political resistance to their welcome.
Malta’s prime minister, Joseph Muscat, announced earlier that the ship would be allowed to reach safe haven in Malta after seven other countries also agreed to take in those deemed eligible for refugee status. He also said that the ship operated by a German aid group would be immediately impounded and the crew placed under investigation for allegedly operating illegally, including violating rescue orders and operating without proper registration.
One by one, the migrants were escorted off by officials and medical personnel in white coveralls and gloves. A girl in pink shorts no more than 5 years old — one of five children on the ship — was cradled gingerly by an official. One man walked unsteadily, leaning on a helper, while another wearing shorts and a white polo shirt was barefoot and wrapped in a red blanket.
While Muscat emphasized that the Lifeline case was unique because of the alleged violations of the crew, the refusal by Italy and Malta to open their ports to the ship — and the haggling among EU states over how to distribute the migrants — showed a hardening of positions as EU leaders head into a summit where migration policies are expected to be the focus.
This month, Italy and Malta both refused port to a French humanitarian ship, forcing some 630 migrants to travel an additional 900 miles to Spain.
The fate of the ship operated by the German group had appeared resolved a day earlier, when Italy announced it would take some of the migrants and Malta would open its ports. But Malta later said the ship was not welcome until it had a deal covering everyone on board. On Wednesday, Malta allowed the ship to enter its waters to seek shelter from rough sea conditions, before announcing it could dock.