Banksy sponsors refugee rescue ship

LONDON: Elusive street artist Banksy is supporting a refugee rescue ship in the Mediterranean Sea, German aid organisation Sea-Watch said.

“A ship sponsored and painted by #Banksy, an experienced SAR crew from all over Europe – the @ MVLouiseMichel already safeguarded two operations of the #SeaWatch4 and has now rescued 89 people itself,” the organisation tweeted on Thursday. “We are excited about the pink reinforcement!”

The Guardian newspaper said Banksy financed the vessel to rescue refugees trying to reach Europe from North Africa. The Louise Michel set off from a Spanish port near Valencia on August 18. It rescued 89 people in distress on Thursday. The ship is now looking for a seaport for the rescued passengers to disembark.

| Reuters THE rescue ship, Louise Michel, operates in the Mediterranean Sea.