THE GREEK maritime authorities were accused today of refusing to allow a merchant ship to bring refugees rescued in the Mediterranean to Greece.

Alarm Phone, an activist-run distress hotline organisation, announced on social media on Tuesday night that it had been contacted by a group of 35 Sudanese people in trouble at sea near Crete.

“We alerted the authorities and two merchant vessels nearby,” Alarm Phone said on Tuesday.

“Egypt ordered another merchant vessel to search for the people, but [the refugees] fear to be brought to Egypt, which is not a safe place!”

The crew of the Nexus, an oil tanker, rescued the 35 overnight and brought them aboard their ship.

According to Alarm Phone, the Greek authorities have refused to provide the Nexus with a port, ordered it to sail to Libya, and threatened to arrest the captain if they head toward Greece.  

“Knowing that Libya is not a safe place, the captain does not want to [take] the group there,” Alarm Phone said.

“The group has fled, risking their lives, to seek safety in Europe. They would face grave human rights violations in Libya. They need to be taken to a safe port now!”