Migrants transferred to Italian ships to be taken to Spain

Migrants transferred to Italian ships to be taken to Spain

Hundreds of migrants are being split between three ships for a trip to Spain in bad weather, after Italy’s new government used their plight to pressure Europe to revisit its migration policy.

The 629 migrants — including 123 unaccompanied minors and several pregnant women — were on board the Aquarius, operated by the charity SOS Mediterranee.

The migrants, stuck at sea since Saturday after Italy and Malta refused them permission to dock, are now heading for Spain where the prime minister has offered them safe harbour.

Migrants aboard SOS Mediterranee's Aquarius ship
Migrants aboard SOS Mediterranee’s Aquarius ship (Kenny Karpov/SOS Mediterranee/AP)

Officials in Valencia said they expect the ships to arrive in three to four days, depending on when they depart and weather conditions.

Italy’s new anti-migrant interior minister has made good on a campaign pledge to close Italian ports to non-governmental organisations that pick up migrants at sea, which he has likened to taxi services for migrant smugglers.

Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini
Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini (Gregorio Borgia/AP)

The new Spanish foreign minister said Madrid’s decision in accepting the migrant ship is also meant to push European Union leaders to address the bloc’s migration policies later this month at an EU summit.

“Spain has made a gesture that aims to trigger a European dynamic to stop looking away, allowing one (EU member) to cope with the problem while the rest of us pass the buck,” Josep Borrell told Ser radio.

Pedro Sanchez
Pedro Sanchez is Spain’s new PM (Francisco Seco/AP)

Many Spanish regions and cities have offered to provide long-term support to the migrants, said Valencia’s regional vice president, Monica Oltra.

The Red Cross was preparing shelter and medical assistance to meet immediate needs on their arrival.

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