Italy ordered the seizure of the migrant rescue vessel ‘Aquarius’, after accusing the Doctors without Borders (MSF) of illegally dumping toxic waste in south Italy. Responding on the accusations, MSF said that this is an attempt by Italy to undermine migrant rescue efforts.
As Reuters reported, Italy accused MSF for dumping waste at ports in south Italy, and ordered ‘Aquarius’ to be seized. However, the charity responded that Italy made those accusations to undermine the rescue efforts.
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According to the public prosecutor of Catania, Sicily, ‘Aquarius’ and its sister ship VOS Prudence, illegally dumped potentially dangerous medical waste, as well as other rubbish between January 2017 and May 2018. These materials include clothes, food and sanitary waste. The prosecutors added that this waste could transmit viruses
The rescue ship has been blocked at the port of Marseilles in France since September, as it could not find a country to register its trips to the Mediterranean. Namely, the ship was flying the Panama-flag, but the Panama Maritime Authority has revoked the registration.
MSF and SOS Mediterranee responded for their side that they have followed every standard procedure when disposing waste during trips looking for migrants. What is more, SOS Mediterranee called France not to cave in to the Italian investigation.
During September, France, Portugal, Spain and Germany agreed to take in migrants from Aquarius sailing off the coast of Malta, France said, after Italy refused to let the vessel dock. In fact, the Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini noted that the Aquarius had obstructed the work of the Libyan coast guard and Italy’s ports would remain closed.
Italian government has closed its ports to humanitarian ships that rescue migrants off Libya, and is not accepting migrants sent back from the German border. Namely, charity rescue vessels with foreign flags will not be allowed in Italian ports. Salvini has also led a popular crackdown against immigration since his League party and the anti-establishment 5 Star Movement took office in June.