500+ migrants stranded at sea as European states squabble
The 507 rescued migrants on board rescue vessels Ocean Viking and Open Arms remain stranded at sea on Tuesday as no European state member has asked the European Union to coordinate the disembarking among countries.
The Ocean Viking ship, run by Doctors without Borders (MSF) with Franco-German charity SOS Mediterranee, rescued 81 people on Sunday and another 105 on Monday, making a total of 356 on board of the aid boat.
Spanish NGO Open Arms has been at sea for 12 days and still waiting for a safe port to disembark the 151 rescued migrants.
Eight people with health issues were taken by a rescue dinghy to Malta on Monday.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has said Spain should accept the Open Arms migrants and has repeated his policy of closed ports.
Spain's Socialist government accepted the Aquarius rescue boat last year following a similar stand-off but has since hardened its position, saying that the Open Arms should look for a closer port.
Last week the European Union's executive called on member states to show solidarity and find a solution for the boat.
(Source: Reuters)
Heavy rain washes away cars in Catalonia, Spain
Press TV's news headlines
Russia holds strategic nuclear exercise
Foreign presidential elections will not affect Iran: Parl. speaker
VIDEO | Beaten Democrats look warily at four more years of Trump
VIDEO | A look at Trump's past actions
US, UK warplanes pound Yemeni capital Sana’a, other regions
VIDEO | 57 weeks of pro-Palestine rallies in Milan
VIDEO | Iraqi fighters strike Israeli military target, vow ‘increasing intensity’
VIDEO | Iran confirms successful signals from Kowsar, Hodhod satellites
VIDEO | What will keep Gaza on top of the new US presidential agenda?
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
