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Migrants reach Italy after crew abandons ship Migrants reach Italy after crew apparently abandons ship
(about 7 hours later)
A cargo ship reportedly hiding hundreds of Syrian migrants docked at a southern Italian port overnight Wednesday after authorities intercepted the drifting vessel that the crew had abandoned and set on autopilot to crash into the Italian coast. A cargo ship reportedly hiding hundreds of Syrian migrants docked at a southern Italian port overnight Wednesday after authorities intercepted the drifting vessel that the crew is thought to have abandoned and set on autopilot to crash into the Italian coast.
Dozens of Italian police, Red Cross officials and buses met the some 700 illegal migrants, who included a heavily-pregnant woman, aboard the Blue Sky M cargo ship when it arrived in Gallipoli, a port on Italy’s southeastern tip, in the dead of night, news agencies reported. Police said they would investigate how the migrants came to be hidden on the cargo ship. Dozens of Italian police personnel, Red Cross officials and buses met the about 1,000 illegal migrants, who included a heavily pregnant woman, aboard the Blue Sky M cargo ship when it arrived in Gallipoli, a port on Italy’s southeastern tip, in the dead of night, news agencies reported. Police said they would investigate how the migrants came to be hidden on the cargo ship.
The ship, which was traveling from Greece to Croatia, issued a distress signal while in Greek waters. It was boarded by the Italian coast guard late Tuesday, the Italian navy said in a tweet, after passing an inspection by the Greek navy.The ship, which was traveling from Greece to Croatia, issued a distress signal while in Greek waters. It was boarded by the Italian coast guard late Tuesday, the Italian navy said in a tweet, after passing an inspection by the Greek navy.
Greek authorities scrambled a navy helicopter and two patrol vessel to rescue the Moldovan-flagged ship after the distress signal was issued by a passenger. But an inspection of the boat revealed no problems and nothing suspicious on board, a spokeswoman for the port police told Agence France Presse. Greek authorities scrambled a navy helicopter and two patrol vessels to rescue the Moldovan-flagged ship after a passenger issued the distress signal. But an inspection of the boat revealed no problems and nothing suspicious on board, a spokeswoman for the port police told Agence France-Presse.
It is believed that people traffickers abandoned the ship when authorities neared the boat as it crossed the Adriatic Sea between Greece and Italy. No official confirmation has been given, however. It is thought that human traffickers abandoned the ship when authorities neared the boat as it crossed the Adriatic Sea between Greece and Italy. No official confirmation has been given, however.
Italy has been struggling to cope this year with a massive jump in the number of migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, mostly fleeing poverty and conflict in the Middle East and Africa. Most head to Italy or Greece to then travel into Europe. The smugglers who organize the trips often abandon the ships before they reach shore to avoid arrest. Italy has been struggling to cope this year with a massive increase in the number of migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, many fleeing poverty and conflict in the Middle East and Africa. Most head to Italy or Greece and then travel farther into Europe. The smugglers who organize the trips often abandon the ships before they reach shore to avoid arrest.
Italian Coast guard spokesman Cmdr. Filippo Marini was quoted by news agencies as saying the team took control of the ship after determining there was no crew to be found. He said the Italians “avoided disaster” by interrupting the programmed route that would have had the ship crash into the Italian shore. He said the motor had been blocked, and that the Italians unblocked it so that it could be safely brought into port. Cmdr. Filippo Marini, a spokesman for the Italian Coast guard, was quoted by news agencies as saying that the team took control of the ship after determining that there was no crew to be found. He said the Italians “avoided disaster” by interrupting the programmed route that would have had the ship crash into the shore. He said that the motor had been blocked and that the Italians unblocked it so that it could be brought into port safely.
The incident comes just days after several people were killed in a dramatic rescue operation to save an Italian ferry that burst into flames in stormy seas between Italy and Greece Sunday. The incident comes just days after several people were killed in a dramatic rescue operation to save an Italian ferry that burst into flames in stormy seas between Italy and Greece on Sunday.
Italy has rescued almost 2,500 people from troubled boats over the Christmas period alone. Once migrants reach Italy, the country is obligated to to process them and allow them to apply for asylum. Italy has rescued almost 2,500 people from troubled boats over the Christmas period alone. Once migrants reach Italy, the country is obligated to process them and allow them to apply for asylum.
According to the U.N. Refugee Agency, nearly 200,000 migrants have arrived in Italy and Greece by sea between January and November of this year. Often, they put their lives at risk by trying to cross the Mediterranean in flimsy boats. According to the U.N. refugee agency, nearly 200,000 migrants have arrived in Italy and Greece by sea from January to November. Often, they put their lives at risk by trying to cross the Mediterranean in flimsy boats.
Deane reported from London.Deane reported from London.