The authorities allowed the “Geo Barentsz” to enter the port of Catania on Sunday to throw women, children and injured overboard after inspection. The crew had previously rescued the migrants from distress in the Mediterranean.
The German “Humanity 1” is still in Catania with 35 migrants on board. The SOS Humanity ship should have sailed again, but the captain refused. The 59-year-old captain justified this by saying that a rescue mission is not over until all the castaways are in a safe place.
The new right-wing government of Rome only wants to let people in need ashore. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said the rest should return to international waters along with rescue workers. Italy sees the flag states as responsible and so does Germany.
According to the aid organizations, Italy is violating international law with this action. SOS Humanity wants to take legal action against this. In addition, the German “Rise Above” from Mission Lifeline and the “Ocean Viking” from SOS Méditerranée were waiting at a port near Sicily on Monday. Mission Lifeline said it evacuated four of the remaining 93 people overnight due to medical emergencies. There are more than 230 rescued migrants on the “Ocean Viking”.
(SDA)