The sea rescue ship has now arrived in the southern French city of Toulon. Italy had refused admission. / Ocean Viking: 230 migrants go ashore
The rescue ship “Ocean Viking” has reached Toulon in southern France with 230 migrants on board. As the French authorities announced, the ship of the aid organization SOS Méditerranée docked in the military port of Toulon. The first refugees were allowed to go ashore immediately.
Ocean Viking: Many countries ready to accept
On Thursday, four people had already been taken off board for medical reasons and taken by helicopter to Bastia on the French island of Corsica. France and Germany each want to take in a third of the 230 migrants who are still on board. There are other offers from countries such as Croatia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Norway.
The “Ocean Viking” took people on several rescue missions in the Mediterranean three weeks ago.
Quarrel with Italy
Dealing with the “Ocean Viking” had caused a dispute between France and Italy. After Italy had refused to allow the ship to dock for days, France has now granted permission for Toulon to dock.
In protest, the French government suspended the planned admission of 3,500 refugees from Italy. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said France had “exceptionally” allowed the “Ocean Viking” to enter a French port. According to international law, Italy was responsible for accommodating the rescue ship.
Greek authorities sank immigrants’ boat
Rescue ship “Ocean Viking” docks in Toulon
For days, Italy refused to allocate a port to the “Ocean Viking” – now a neighboring country has stepped in. The SOS Méditerrané rescue ship docked in Toulon in southern France on Friday. France and Germany each want to take in a third of the 230 migrants.
The rescue ship “Ocean Viking” reached Toulon in southern France on Friday morning with 230 migrants on board. As the French authorities announced, the ship of the aid organization SOS Méditerranée docked in the military port of Toulon. The first refugees were allowed to go ashore immediately.
Three weeks ago, the “Ocean Viking” took in 234 people in distress during several rescue operations in the Mediterranean. After days of Italy refusing to give the ship a port, France finally stepped in.
On Thursday, four people were taken aboard for medical reasons and taken by helicopter to Bastia on the French island of Corsica. France and Germany each want to take in a third of the 230 migrants who are still on board. According to France’s Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, there are offers for admission from other countries such as Croatia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Norway.
France issued the berthing permit on Thursday
Dealing with the “Ocean Viking” had caused a dispute between France and Italy. After days of Italy refusing to allow the ship to dock, France on Thursday issued a permit for Toulon to dock. In protest, the French government suspended the planned admission of 3,500 refugees from Italy.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said France had “exceptionally” allowed the “Ocean Viking” to enter a French port. According to international law, Italy was responsible for accommodating the rescue ship.
