Migrant rescue ship Aquarius ‘forced by EU governments to end operations’
Charity-funded vessel has saved more than 30,000 lives since 2016
The last migrant rescue ship operating in the Mediterranean has been forced to terminate its life-saving work, the charities that run the vessel have announced.
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and its partner SOS Mediterranee say they have no choice but to end patrols by the Aquarius, following “sustained attacks on search and rescue by European states”.
Since 2016, the ship has rescued or assisted an estimated 30,000 migrants attempting to make the dangerous sea crossing to Europe from Libya and elsewhere.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But last month Italian magistrates accused MSF of illegally dumping toxic waste at ports in southern Italy and ordered the seizure of the Aquarius - currently docked in the French port of Marseille. MSF’s Italian bank accounts have been frozen.
The charity denies the allegations and is appealing the seizure order.
MSF has also vowed to launch another search and rescue boat, Euronews reports.
“The Italian Government and their legal department are running a smear campaign against the Aquarius,” MSF Head of Emergencies Karline Kleijer told the news site.
Italian officials have claimed the ship was providing a “taxi service for illegal migrants”.
A total of 71,779 migrants and refugees are believed to have entered Europe by sea this year, of whom 20,250 landed in Italy. The country’s coalition government, led by the right-wing Northern League, has vowed to crack down on migrant arrivals.
“The Aquarius was at the heart of a diplomatic row in June when it became stranded with more than 600 migrants on board following a refusal by Italy and Malta to take it in,” reports France24.
At least 2,160 people have died attempting the sea crossing since the start of 2018, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) - and migrant advocates say the seizure of Aquarius means that number is likely to continue rising.
“This is a dark day. Not only has Europe failed to provided dedicated search and rescue capacity, it has also actively sabotaged others’ attempts to save lives,” Vickie Hawkins, head of MSF UK, said in a statement.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Making a police state out of the liberal university'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
8 looming climate tipping points that imperil our planet
The Explainer New reports detail the thresholds we may be close to crossing
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Try 6 free issues of The Week Junior
Spark your child's curiosity with The Week Junior - the award-winning current affairs magazine for 8-14s.
By The Week Published
-
Bizarre pizza toppings horrify Italians
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Being nosy 'helps you live longer'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published