Migrant rescue boat refuses offer to dock in Spain

Monday, 19 August 2019 10:17

A charity vessel carrying more than 100 migrants has rejected an offer from Spain to dock in Algeciras, citing an "extreme" emergency on board.

The NGO that boat said it will be dangerous for the migrants, most of whom are African, to make the six days' journey to Spain.

The Open Arms boat is currently in limbo off the island of Lampedusa, following Italy's "inconceivable" refusal to allow it to dock.

Óscar Camps, the director of the Spanish-based NGO Proactiva Open Arms, has appealed directly to European leaders to resolve the crisis.

The boat has been in international waters for eight days. Among those on board are 32 children, including nine-month-old twins.

More from International

Prince Harry wants 'reconciliation' with royal family

Prince Harry said on Friday that he wanted reconciliation with the British royal family but his father King Charles will not speak to him over a row over his security and he did not know how long the monarch, who has cancer, would live.
Earthquake strikes off Chile's southern coast, sparking tsunami threat

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Drake Passage between Cape Horn and Antarctica at a depth of 10 km (6 miles) on Friday, the United States Geological Survey said.
Activist aid ship hit by drones on way to Gaza, NGO says

A ship with humanitarian aid and activists for Gaza was bombed by drones while in international waters off Malta early on Friday, its organisers said, and the Maltese government said after a rescue operation that everyone on board was safe.
Indonesia's Bali island hit by power outage

A power outage hit several regions of Indonesia's resort island of Bali on Friday and efforts were underway to restore services to those affected, state utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara said.
Russian drone attack injures 29 in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia

A Russian drone attack late on Thursday set buildings ablaze in Ukraine's southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, injuring 29 people, regional governor Ivan Fedorov said.

Motor Mania
10:00am - Noon
The Best of Dubai Eye 103.8
Noon - 4:00pm

Hear the highlights from the week gone by on Dubai Eye 103.8. Listen again to the best interviews, advice and the top stories that has gripped our conversation this week.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to the USA
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to the US to boost economic and technology ties including AI.
New iPhone Launch - Too Soon For Apple?
Apple Inc. shares fell Monday after a closely followed analyst warned that demand for the firm’s new iPhone 16 Pro model has been lower than expected. Is this a sign that the AI software just isn’t ready?
Working From Home or Hardly Working?
Does working from home kill productivity or can it benefit staff by giving them more flexibility and a better work/life balance?

Is There Sufficient House Supply In UAE
Dubai’s current population is more than double compared to almost twenty years ago, which now stands at 3.7 million. Lots of families are also moving to the UAE now. So what does it mean for the property market?
Noon's First Female Delivery Driver
Glory Ehirim Nkiruka is Noon’s first ever female delivery driver. In her first ever interview, she explained why she loves her job, despite the heat!