The ship docked at the port after almost three weeks that it remained at sea – It is the first time that a ship of a humanitarian organization that rescues migrants in the Mediterranean has docked in France.
The ship with 230 migrants including 57 children, which became the cause to break out between France and Italy after the latter’s decision not to disembark the immigrants on its territory, it arrived on Friday morning at the port of Toulon, in France.
The ship docked at the port after nearly three weeks at sea after the Italian government refused to give the “green light” to accept the ship in a safe Italian port.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin on Thursday criticized Italian authorities for not accepting the ship, adding that Paris had decided to accept it citing a “humanitarian duty”.
The Ocean Viking, chartered by the non-governmental organization SOS Méditerranée in collaboration with the Red Cross, arrived in Toulon at approximately 08:50 local time (09:50 Greek time) and it is the first time that a ship of a humanitarian organization rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean has docked in France.
Passengers on board will receive medical attention and be interviewed at the Toulon naval port. Those eligible to apply for asylum will then be able to be transferred to other European countries, nine of which – including Germany, Luxembourg, Bulgaria and Portugal – have offered to take in a total of two-thirds of passengers as a sign of “solidarity”. Those ineligible to apply will be returned to their countries of origin, French Interior Minister Géral Darmanin said.
Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
