REFUGEE rescue charity SOS Humanity protested today over Italy’s seizure of its ship, also accusing Libyan coastguards of firing live bullets and using violence as they sought to stop the vessel picking up migrants in distress last weekend.

The German NGO insisted that the Humanity 1 had followed international law and that no clear reason had been given for the seizure, which took place after the vessel docked in the southern port of Crotone.

“Humanity 1 was first on the scene and therefore responsible for the rescue according to maritime law,” said the captain, who was identified only by his first name Leo.

“If the so-called Libyan coastguard had not turned up to illegally return survivors to Libya, we would have carried out the rescue in an orderly way.”

SOS Humanity said that several migrants aboard three unseaworthy boats had to jump into the water during Saturday’s rescue, adding that the ship had picked up 77 people but others were forced aboard a coastguard vessel, separating families. At least one migrant is believed to have drowned.

Italy’s far-right government has seized vessels that have not followed draconian new rules, which include requiring them to proceed to port without making additional rescues and assigning ports further north in Italy.

But the charity said that none of the authorities involved has been able to explain exactly why the boat was impounded.

Italian authorities have not publicly commented on the seizure.

“The Italian authorities attempted to justify the arrest of the Humanity 1 on the grounds that the Humanity 1 would have caused a dangerous situation for the people in distress at sea,” the captain said in a statement.

“In fact, it was the so-called Libyan coastguard, financed by the EU, who endangered the lives of the people in the water and our rescue crew.”

He said he had video footage supporting the charity’s account.