Ship captain says Italy and Malta aim to hide deaths at sea

The captain of a private aid ship that engaged in migrant rescue missions is accusing Italy and Malta of hiding a deadly “farce” in the Mediterranean Sea. Claus-Peter Reisch, who faces trial in Malta for allegedly captaining a ship that wasn’t properly registered, said Monday in Munich that he’s done nothing wrong.

Both Italy and Malta have impeded aid groups from operating rescue boats. Reisch, who captained for Mission Lifeline, believes about 100 migrants die daily in the Mediterranean.