(ANSA) - Rome, August 13 - The SOS MEDITERRANEE and Médecins
Sans Frontières (MSF) NGOs on Monday appealed to European
governments to assign the migrant-rescue ship Aquarius a port of
safety "without delay" after it saved 141 people in the
Mediterranean.
"Maritime authorities from #Malta and #Italy inform #Aquarius
that they will not grant 141 people onboard a place of safety to
disembark," MSF said via Twitter.
"#Aquarius has now reached a standby position exactly between
Malta and Italy and is awaiting further guidance".
The NGOs said more than 70% of those rescued originate from
Somalia and Eritrea.
"While the medical condition of those rescued is stable for
now, many are extremely weak and malnourished," they said.
"Many report that they were held in inhumane conditions in
Libya".
#Aquarius appeals for port of safety
MSF says Italy and Malta have refused access to ports