Skip to main content
Donate to the 95 years appeal
Merchant ship captain pleads with Malta, Italy and EU to respond to calls for help days after refugee rescue
Captain Mohammad Shaaban (right) and (left) his merchant ship, the Talia, approaches the refugees' boat last Friday

THE captain of a merchant vessel carrying over 50 rescued refugees has warned that no European authority is responding to his calls for help as the ship runs out of food and water.

The Talia, a Lebanese commercial vessel that ships livestock, saved the lives of 52 people who were stranded inside Malta’s search-and-rescue zone last Friday evening.

Since then the ship has weathered a storm and has been bounced around by the Maltese and Italian authorities, who have each blocked it from its ports and claimed the other is responsible for the passengers’ safety.

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