Skip to main content
The Morning Star Shop
Refugee rescue ships ask Italy why they've been singled out for coronavirus quarantine
Sea Watch and SOS Mediterranee/MSF say they must urgently return to saving men, women and children from drowning
The Ocean Viking remains anchored off the port of Pozallo [Antony Jean/SOS Mediterranee]

TWO NGO refugee rescue ships have questioned why Italy has ordered them to remain in quarantine when no other vessels have been instructed to do so since the coronavirus outbreak hit the country.

After rescuing 194 refugees from a near certain death in the central Mediterranean and delivering them to dry land on Thursday, the Italian Ministry of Health ordered the Sea Watch 3’s crew to remain at anchor off Messina, Sicily.

On Monday, the Ocean Viking was ordered to do the same after it completed the rescue of over 270 people who had fled across the sea to escape Libya. The ship remains at sea off the Sicilian town of Pozzallo.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Red Devils' logo
Men’s Rugby League / 12 August 2025
12 August 2025

Fan group The 1873 issues scathing response to owners’ statement saying the club will not close

People inspect the damage at the Sheikh Radwan al-Taba UNRWA clinic following an Israeli army bombardment in Gaza City, August 6, 2025
Gaza / 6 August 2025
6 August 2025

Israeli media awash with leaks and rumours of Netanyahu’s plans to seize Gaza. Meanwhile, the unrelenting siege of Gaza continues unabated 

Demonstrators carrying Palestinian flags look on as the Ship to Gaza boat 'Handala' arrives at the port of Malmö, Sweden, May 8, 2024
Middle East / 29 July 2025
29 July 2025

Mr Smalls and 13 other Freedom Flotilla Coalition activists who tried to break Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza aboard the Handala ship remain in detention and on hunger strike