Malta agrees to relocate 65 migrants on board German rescue ship named after Syrian boy Alan Kurdi after stand-off with Italian authorities
- The Alan Kurdi is latest rescue vessel facing docking problems in Italian waters
- Boat forced to head to Malata in fear that an emergency might develop on board
- Ship named after three-year-old Syrian refugee who drowned in Mediterranean
A German rescue ship heading to Malta after being refused entry into Italy has been given clearance to enter Maltese waters, authorities have said.
65 migrants arrived on board an Armed Forces of Malta vessel at its base in Marsamxett Harbour, Valletta, Malta this afternoon.
The migrants were collected from The Alan Kurdi, a German rescue vessel that was originally headed for Italy.
Rescued migrants arrive on an Armed Forces of Malta vessel at its base in Marsamxett Harbour, Valletta, Malta
Italy’s migration policy has led to clashes between NGOs and Italian authorities over rules that effectively close off the country’s ports to their boats.
The Alan Kurdi was the latest of several vessels carrying migrants that has faced problems trying to dock in an Italian port in the past couple of weeks.
The German-flagged vessel named after the three-year-old Syrian refugee Alan Kurdi who drowned in the Mediterranean in 2015, decided on Saturday to change course for Malta after a standoff with Rome.
Italy’s migration policy has led to clashes between NGOs and Italian authorities over rules that effectively close off the country’s ports to their boats
The Alan Kurdi is the latest of several vessels carrying migrants that has faced problems trying to dock in an Italian port in the past couple of weeks
On Sunday, the Maltese armed forces said the government would guide it on the appropriate action to take should the ship enter Maltese waters.
In a tweet on Saturday the German NGO running the Alan Kurdi said it had decided to change course for Malta because it could not wait for a state of emergency to develop on board.
‘It remains to be seen whether European governments support Italy’s position. People are not bargaining chips,’ the NGO said.
On Sunday, the Maltese armed forces said the government would guide it on the appropriate action to take should the ship enter Maltese waters
In a tweet on Saturday the German NGO running the Alan Kurdi said it had decided to change course for Malta because it could not wait for a state of emergency to develop on board
‘It remains to be seen whether European governments support Italy’s position,’ the NGO said
Italy’s coalition government, which includes the right-wing League, blames European partners for leaving it alone to deal with sea arrivals.
New rules were adopted last month threatening NGO ships entering Italian waters without permission with a fine of up to 50,000 euros and the impounding of their vessels.
On June 29, Italian police arrested the German captain of the Dutch-flagged Sea-Watch 3, operated by a German charity, after the vessel docked at the island port of Lampedusa though she was later released.
Italy’s coalition government, which includes the right-wing League, blames European partners for leaving it alone to deal with sea arrivals
New rules were adopted last month threatening NGO ships entering Italian waters without permission with a fine of up to 50,000 euros and the impounding of their vessels
A migrant disembarks from an Armed Forces of Malta vessel after arriving at its base in Marsamxett Harbour, Valletta, Malta