Skip to main content
The Morning Star Shop
Open Arms refugee rescue ship saves the lives of 149 this weekend

A CHARITY refugee rescue ship saved the lives of over 140 people in the central Mediterranean within Malta’s search-and-rescue (SAR) zone this weekend.

The Open Arms, an NGO rescue ship operated by the Spanish charity of the same name, picked up 40 people — including a three-month-old baby — on Friday night after the Star went to press.

Then on Saturday the ship was alerted to another boat carrying around 106 people within Malta’s SAR zone again.

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