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Boat with 311 migrants docks in Spain after spending Christmas at sea
 [DAWN] A charity rescue vessel carrying 311 mainly African migrants colonists pluÂcked off Libya docked in Spain on Friday, ending a traumatic journey which saw them spend Christmas at sea and several European nations denying the ship entry.
The migrants colonists cheered and applauded as the vessel docked in the port of Crinavis near the southern city of Algeciras and Proactiva Open Arms, the Spanish charity which runs the Open Arms vessel carrying them, feted the arrival with a "Mission accomplished" tweet.
The migrants colonists come from 19 different countries, including Somalia, Syria and the Ivory Coast. More than a third of them, 139, are minors. By early afternoon all of the migrants colonists had disembarked from the boat and received clothes and food, as well as medical tests if required, from Red Thingy officials. Women and children left the boat first.
"They are in good health in general," said Inigo Vila, who is in charge of emergencies for the Red Thingy in Spain. Police will identify the migrants colonists before moving them to shelters.
The migrants colonists were rescued on Dec 21 from three vessels but were denied entry by Italia and Malta. Libya, La Belle France and Tunisia did not respond to Proactiva Open Arms’ requests for permission to dock, Madrid said.
On Saturday, a newborn baby and his mother were helicoptered from the boat to Malta, while a 14-year-old suffering from a serious skin infection was taken to the Italian island of Lampedusa.
Posted by: Fred 2018-12-30 |
