France to deport 44 migrants rescued by ship in Italy row

France has rejected asylum applications from 44 of the 234 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean by the Ocean Viking NGO ship, who will be returned to their country of origin, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Tuesday. The ship was allowed to disembark at the French port of Toulon last Friday after Italy refused access to its ports, sparking a diplomatic row over how to handle the thousands of migrants trying to reach Europe from North Africa each year. Speaking in parliament, Darmanin said the 44 migrants will be deported "as soon as their health allows," adding that others could also be sent home as more asylum claims are examined. France had never before allowed a rescue vessel carrying migrants from the Mediterranean to land on its coast, but did so this time because Italy had refused access. — afp