The Open Arms rescue boat run by the Spanish Proactiva Open Arms charity, arrives to port carrying migrants rescued off Libya, after Italy and Malta, both much closer to the place of rescue, had refused to let it dock in their ports, in Barcelona, Spain, July 4, 2018. REUTERS/Albert Gea
MADRID, July 4 (Reuters) – A humanitarian rescue boat carrying 60 migrants rescued off Libya docked in Barcelona on Wednesday after being turned away by Malta and Italy, in the latest example of European divisions on immigration.
Spain’s new Socialist prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, had offered for the second time in a month to take in migrants rejected by Italy and Malta, which where both closer.
Irregular immigration across the Mediterranean has fallen dramatically, with about 45,000 people making it to Europe across the sea this year compared to over a million in 2015, but politically it has become ever more divisive.
Last week, European Union states agreed to tighten their external borders and spend more in the Middle East and North Africa to bring down the number of migrants and to set up new centers to handle new arrivals.
In a video tweeted by a crew member, men, women and children sang and cheered as the rescue ship Open Arms, operated by the Spanish charity ProActiva Open Arms, arrived in Barcelona’s busy port to dock alongside cruise and cargo ships.
Last month, Spain had accepted 629 migrants on another charity rescue boat, the Aquarius.
Barcelona mayor Ada Colau tweeted that Wednesday’s arrivals “could have died, but they are alive”
“This is the Mediterranean Sea and the Europe we want, where life is celebrated and protected,” she added.
The migrants, including five women and four children, are of various nationalities, including Palestinians, Syrians and Guineans. They received medical attention before being processed by police.
Most Spaniards are in favor of welcoming and helping to integrate refugees, and feel that their previous, conservative government did not do enough, pollsters say. (Reporting by Sam Edwards; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2018.
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 105,923 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
ROME (Reuters) – An Italian judge on Friday cleared three migrant sea rescue charities that had been accused of abetting irregular immigration in complicity with human traffickers, throwing out a case opened...
(Bloomberg) — The closure of one of the East Coast’s busiest ports after the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge has so far not led to broad price increases,...
(Bloomberg) — An Iranian ship that’s been linked to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea is returning home, removing a prominent asset in the area as the Islamic Republic braces...
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign Up
Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 105,923 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
