18 June 2018 10:02 am
An Italian coast guard ship carrying migrants rescued from the Mediterranean Sea arrived in the Spanish port city of Valencia on Sunday, marking the end of a dispute that laid bare divisions among EU member states over migration and asylum policy.
The ship arrived at Valencia harbour around 6:20am (0420 GMT) after seven days at sea. It is one of three vessels carrying more than 600 migrants in total to Spain.
The other two ships were scheduled to arrive in three-hour intervals, Inigo Vila of the Spanish Red Cross said earlier.
The Italian coast guard ship was carrying 274 migrants, who would be provided with immediate medical examinations and care. Seven pregnant women were on board as well as
123 children.
The Aquarius, a rescue boat jointly run by the NGOs Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and SOS Mediterranee, had been turned away last week by both Italy and Malta, leaving the boat stranded on the high seas until Spain offered a mooring at Valencia.
The Aquarius was being escorted by two vessels, including the Italian coast guard ship. They joined the Aquarius after concerns emerged that it would not be able to safely complete the 1,500-kilometre journey to Spain in inclement weather and with 629 people aboard.
Since taking office on June 1, Italy’s hardline Interior Minister and Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini has pledged to end irregular migration into Italy via the Mediterranean.
Valencia, Spain (dpa)
17 June 2018