A REFUGEE rescue charity has called on the European Union to use decommissioned cruise ships to evacuate the thousands of refugees trapped in overcrowded camps on Greece’s Aegean islands. 

German aid organisation Sea Watch warned today that while the continent is gripped by the coronavirus crisis, those seeking international protection from “the humanitarian disaster at Europe's borders” are at risk of being forgotten.

“Leading cruise operators have already suspended their cruises until at least April,” the charity said, adding that most of these ships could carry several thousand people and have comparatively well-equipped medical stations.