Daniel Stewart - Yesterday - News 360
The French NGO SOS Méditerranée has asked Thursday for help to the governments of France, Spain and Greece to disembark the 234 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean and who are on board the rescue ship 'Ocean Viking' waiting to reach a safe harbor.
The 'Ocean Viking' rescue ship -
Gerard Bottino/SOPA Images via Z / DPA
The organization has warned that this is a matter of urgency in the face of possible deteriorating weather conditions. "Strong winds and high waves are expected later this week," the NGO said in a statement.
It has thus lamented that "supplies are running low" almost two weeks after SOS Méditerranée made the first request to dock at a safe port. While the first choice was Italy, the recent change of government and the anti-migration statements made by the new top Italian politicians have significantly reduced the possibilities.
The organization has warned that this is a matter of urgency in the face of possible deteriorating weather conditions. "Strong winds and high waves are expected later this week," the NGO said in a statement.
It has thus lamented that "supplies are running low" almost two weeks after SOS Méditerranée made the first request to dock at a safe port. While the first choice was Italy, the recent change of government and the anti-migration statements made by the new top Italian politicians have significantly reduced the possibilities.
Related video: Migrant rescue by Greek coastguardDuration 0:58
This Wednesday, the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, expressed his refusal to allow the entry of migrants rescued by ships of various NGOs in the Mediterranean and asked that the countries of origin of these ships be the ones to receive the migrants.
This is why the organization has turned to other countries such as France, Spain and Greece, which "are in a better position to provide aid and a safe harbor." However, the organization has clarified that "they are not looking for France to open a port for them" but simply to "contribute to finding a solution".
Since the beginning of 2022, some 1,700 people have disappeared in the Mediterranean, 1,287 of them in the central area, which is already the most dangerous migratory route in the world, according to data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Italian government data indicate that almost 86,000 people arrived by sea in Italy between January and November 2022, half of whom are from Tunisia, Egypt and Bangladesh. In the same period of 2021, the figure was around 53,000, while in 2020 it was 28,300.
Germany urges Italy to help migrants stranded onboard NGO boats
Issued on: 04/11/2022 -
Issued on: 04/11/2022 -
01:24
Migrants are rescued by crew members of NGO rescue ship 'Ocean Viking' in the Mediterranean Sea, October 26, 2022. © Camille Martin Juan/SOS MEDITE via Reuters
Text by: NEWS WIRES|
Video by: Seema GUPTA
Germany has urged Italy to help migrants who have been onboard a German-flagged NGO boat for more than a week, saying charity vessels operating in the Mediterranean play an important role in saving lives at sea.
Three ships run by charities, including Germany's SOS Humanity, have been at sea off Italy for more than a week, carrying almost 1,000 migrants.
They said all their requests to dock have so far proved unsuccessful.
Giorgia Meloni, Italy's new rightist prime minister, said the flag nations of the charity ships in question should take care of the migrants currently stranded at sea, after her government threatened to ban them from entering its waters.
In an emailed statement seen by Reuters, the German embassy in Rome said there were currently 104 unaccompanied minors on the German-flagged ship Humanity 1.
"Many of them need medical care. We have asked the Italian government to provide help quickly," said the embassy statement, issued on Wednesday evening.
Earlier last week, Italy sent letters to the embassies of Germany and Norway saying the conduct of two NGO ships flying their flags was not in line with national security rules, border control and the fight against illegal immigration.
The German embassy replied saying its government believed "civil organisations" rescuing migrants at sea "make an important contribution to saving lives in the Mediterranean".
"Rescuing people in mortal danger is the most important thing," the German statement said.
Charity SOS Mediterranee, whose boat is currently carrying 234 people, said the weather was set to worsen at sea in the coming days and asked Greece, France or Spain to provide help as Malta and Italy had not responded to docking requests.
Italy's foreign ministry said it asked Germany to provide detailed information about conditions aboard the Humanity 1, and pledged to provide emergency assistance should it be necessary.
(REUTERS)
Text by: NEWS WIRES|
Video by: Seema GUPTA
Germany has urged Italy to help migrants who have been onboard a German-flagged NGO boat for more than a week, saying charity vessels operating in the Mediterranean play an important role in saving lives at sea.
Three ships run by charities, including Germany's SOS Humanity, have been at sea off Italy for more than a week, carrying almost 1,000 migrants.
They said all their requests to dock have so far proved unsuccessful.
Giorgia Meloni, Italy's new rightist prime minister, said the flag nations of the charity ships in question should take care of the migrants currently stranded at sea, after her government threatened to ban them from entering its waters.
In an emailed statement seen by Reuters, the German embassy in Rome said there were currently 104 unaccompanied minors on the German-flagged ship Humanity 1.
"Many of them need medical care. We have asked the Italian government to provide help quickly," said the embassy statement, issued on Wednesday evening.
Earlier last week, Italy sent letters to the embassies of Germany and Norway saying the conduct of two NGO ships flying their flags was not in line with national security rules, border control and the fight against illegal immigration.
The German embassy replied saying its government believed "civil organisations" rescuing migrants at sea "make an important contribution to saving lives in the Mediterranean".
"Rescuing people in mortal danger is the most important thing," the German statement said.
Charity SOS Mediterranee, whose boat is currently carrying 234 people, said the weather was set to worsen at sea in the coming days and asked Greece, France or Spain to provide help as Malta and Italy had not responded to docking requests.
Italy's foreign ministry said it asked Germany to provide detailed information about conditions aboard the Humanity 1, and pledged to provide emergency assistance should it be necessary.
(REUTERS)
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