Open Arms migrant rescue ship within sight of land but still denied a port

World / 15 August 2019

An Italian court overturned Salvini's ‘security decree,’ which prevented the civil fleet from entering the country's waters

Migrants on board the Open Arms see Lampedusa's coastline ahead

Ben Cowles

Web Editor

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AN NGO rescue ship with 147 migrants on board is finally within sight of land today, following an Italian court’s decision to suspend far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini’s ban on the civil fleet.

Two weeks ago the Open Arms — a ship operated by the Spanish charity of the same name — pulled 123 people fleeing Libya’s conflict and ensuing humanitarian nightmare from overcrowded dinghies in the central Mediterranean.

Giorno 14.
Vediamo terra. Lampedusa.
Il decreto è stato sospeso, siamo in Italia. Continuiamo a non avere un porto, ma la fine di questo incubo è più vicina.
L'umanità prevarrà su questa follia.#unportosicurosubito pic.twitter.com/feS73KaeIq
— Open Arms IT (@openarms_it) August 15, 2019

To cut it short and simple: We are here and we will fight – freedom of movement is everybody's right.
Solidarity with @openarms_fund, @SOSMedIntl / @MSF_Sea and with the over 500 people who have to endure on their ships! pic.twitter.com/cF5nH5xz74
— Sea-Watch International (@seawatch_intl) August 15, 2019

Welcome to #Lampedusa, @openarms_fund! The #OpenArms is with 147 #migrants on board near the Italian island. Let them land, let them finally get some rest after their awful odyssey! #safepassage pic.twitter.com/f0qQZBgiXg
— Alarm Phone (@alarm_phone) August 15, 2019

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