Rome, August 22 (RHC)-- The 177 refugees aboard the Diciotti rescue ship who arrived in the Sicilian seaport of Catania still remain on board as they have not received official authorization to disembark. According to local media, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini is refusing to authorize their arrival until Italy receives guarantees they will be relocated elsewhere in Europe.
Last week, some 190 refugees were rescued after being picked up from an overcrowded boat off the Lampedusa's coast. Thirteen of them were evacuated to Italy to receive medical treatment.
Italy insisted that Malta should take the rest, arguing that the boat first passed through its search-and-rescue area. However, Malta refused, saying that the refugees declined their assistance as they preferred to reach Italy.
Following the standoff with Malta, Salvini has threatened to send the refugees to Libya if other EU countries fail to take them in.
177 refugees refused authorization to disembark in Italy
Related Articles
Commentaries
MAKE A COMMENT
All fields requiredMore Views
- Tigres de Ciego and Leñadores de Las Tunas for retaliation in the Baseball Series
- U.S. political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal turns 70, imprisoned for more than 42 years
- Secretary General of UN Tourism arrives in Cuba
- Irish Nobel Peace Prize winner calls on Joe Biden to release Julian Assange in letter handed to U.S. Consulate
- As the world turns... auction brings over 1 million dollars for gold watch of richest Titanic passenger