EUROPE-MIGRANTS/POZZALLO DISEMBARK Migrants surge swells to 2,700 in past 24 hours

Record ID: 151979

  • Title: EUROPE-MIGRANTS/POZZALLO DISEMBARK Migrants surge swells to 2,700 in past 24 hours
  • Date: 23rd June 2015
  • Summary: POZZALLO, ITALY (JUNE 23, 2015) (REUTERS) MEDICINS SANS FRONTIERES (DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS) SHIP DIGNITY 1 AT PORT VARIOUS MIGRANTS WAITING TO GET OFF SHIP DOCTOR CARRYING YOUNG BABY GETTING OFF SHIP FOLLOWED BY MOTHER OF CHILD VARIOUS OF PREGNANT WOMAN HELPED OFF SHIP ADOLESCENT BOY ON WHEELCHAIR BEING HELPED OFF SHIP VARIOUS MIGRANTS WAITING TO DISEMBARK PREGNANT WOMAN
  • Embargoed: 8th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Italy
  • Country: Italy
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA9277O4U56RLL21PTFZ2XF712U
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Ships patrolling in the Mediterranean have plucked more than 2,700 migrants from overcrowded and unsafe boats and rescue operations were continuing on Tuesday (June 23), said Italy's coast guard, which coordinates the operations.
    On Monday an array of ships from several countries, including those taking part in a European Union mission, went to the aid of 18 different boats, a coast guard spokeswoman said.
    Over 290 migrants disembarked from the Medecins Sans Frontieres ship Dignity 1, at the Sicilian port of Pozzallo on Tuesday.
    A heavily pregnant woman, a mother with a young child and an adolescent boy in a wheelchair were all seen to be given medical aid as they sheltered from the sun in a medical tent on the port side.
    European Union foreign ministers agreed on Monday (June 22) to launch a naval operation against gangs smuggling migrants to Europe from Libya, although the mission will be limited to intelligence-gathering for now due to lack of U.N. authority.
    But on Tuesday, in an indication of how complex the operation will be, the air force commander of Libya's internationally recognised government warned European countries that any vessels entering Libyan waters without permission would be targeted by air strikes.
    Securing consent from Libya, where two rival governments and their armed forces are battling for control, has been a major concern for European powers trying to stem an increasing flow of migrants from Libya's shores.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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