More than 110,000 migrants tried to cross the Mediterranean last year
VALLETTA, July 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A group of migrants who were stranded in dirty conditions aboard a ship that usually only carries animals have been allowed to disembark in Malta.
The vessel had rescued around 50 people, mostly Somalis, off the coast of Libya.
Initially, Malta refused to let them come ashore, arguing that its migrant reception centres were full.
But on Tuesday it said it had reached an agreement under which about 200 people would be sent to other EU states.
On Monday, Italy gave permission for a separate group of 180 migrants rescued from the Mediterranean to disembark from a charity-run ship. They were from a range of countries including Pakistan, Eritrea and Nigeria. They had fled the coast of Libya when they were rescued in four separate groups between 25 and 30 June.
More than 110,000 migrants tried to cross the Mediterranean last year, of which 1,200 died during the attempt, according to the International Organisation for Migration. — NNN-AGENCIES
