Eurovision News Events

CATANIA MIGRANTS
CATANIA, ITALY
14-15 JUNE 2018

There are an estimated 50,000 migrants on the shores of Libya waiting to board ships heading for Italy, according to non-government organizations operational locally. Yesterday, the Diciotti ship sailing in from North Africa docked in the Sicilian port of Catania, bringing in 932 migrants to shore despite a diplomatic standoff in which Italy last week announced it had closed its ports to new migrant ships. The Diciotti was also carrying the corpses of two people who died during their voyage, a woman and a teenage boy. A second ship that was travelling alongside the Diciotti was refused access to the port.

The latest arrivals follow Italy’s refusal to allow the Aquarius migrant ship operated by SOS Mediterranee to dock in one of its ports early this week. It has since travelled on to Spain. The Italian government meanwhile has summoned the French ambassador for consultations after French President Emmanuel Macron criticized what he called Italy's cynicism and irresponsibility in turning away the Aquarius that was carrying more than 600 people aboard.

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