- Title: Aquarius rescue ship asks France's permission to dock in Marseille
- Date: 24th September 2018
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (SEPTEMBER 24, 2018) (REUTERS) SCREEN READING (French): "The Italian government puts pressure on Panama to stop the rescue operations of the Aquarius" REPRESENTATIVES OF MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES AND SOS MEDITERRANEE, WHO RUN AQUARIUS MISSION, DURING NEWS CONFERENCE SIGN ON TABLE WITH REPRESENTATIVE'S NAME (SOUNDBITE) (French) SOS MEDITERRANEE PRESIDENT, FRANC
- Embargoed: 8th October 2018 16:15
- Keywords: Migrant crisis Aquarius ship Mediterranean Sea Panama Italy Europe rescue
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE / AT SEA
- City: PARIS, FRANCE / AT SEA
- Country: France
- Topics: European Union,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0028YZLR9J
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: In a desperate plea for help, NGOs running the Aquarius rescue ship on Monday (September 24) called on France to allow the vessel to unload rescued migrants in the southern city of Marseille.
Speaking at a news conference, representatives of Medecins sans Frontieres and SOS Mediterranee, who run the mission, also called on Europe for humanitarian aid and asked Panama to reinstate its registration to operate.
The Panama Maritime Authority revoked the registration of the search and rescue ship on Sunday (September 23) in a move that means there will no longer be any charity rescue ships off the Libyan coast in the near future unless the vessel can find a new flag to sail under.
Aquarius 2, the one remaining charity rescue vessel still operating in the Central Mediterranean area, is currently at sea with 58 survivors on board, among them women and children.
NGO representatives blamed Italy for putting pressure on Panama to disband the mission and halt the flow of migrants into its coasts.
SOS Mediterranee Director of Operations Frederic Penard said French authorities are aware of their request and that no date has been set for the Aquarius 2's landing on Marseille's coast. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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