Hundreds of migrants stuck in limbo on the Italian coast were allowed to enter Europe on Tuesday, after several ships were permitted to unload their passengers in Sicily.
Another ship traveled further to France, after causing diplomatic tensions between Paris and Rome.
The migrants were rescued by charity ships in the Mediterranean Sea while making the dangerous crossing from North Africa to Italy.
The Italian government, which is led by the far right, had kept the boats waiting for several days, allowing only those in medical distress to come on land.
The charity groups said the people on board were suffering from acute psychological stress. Two people from Syria had attempted jumping into the water, before being pulled out.
They then refused food and water, said MSF.
The standoff also sparked a diplomatic row between Rome and Paris, as one boat traveled further to undock in France. After appealing to Italy unsuccessfully since October 27 to dock, the Ocean Viking, run by SOS Mediterranee, sailed to Corsica with 234 migrants on board.
Italy’s new, far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni thanked France for opening their port to the ship, prior to any confirmation by the French authorities.
Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed on the deal Monday night during the COP27 UN climate summit in Egypt, Italian news agency AGI reported.
A French government source told AFP the behavior of Italy in the matter was “unacceptable, contrary to the law of the sea and to the spirit of European solidarity.
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Source: Italy: Rescue ship impasse ends as migrants come ashore
