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Second migrant ship Ezadeen adrift off the Italian coast with 400 on board Second migrant ship Ezadeen being towed to Italian port with up to 450 on board
(about 5 hours later)
A crewless ship with at least 400 migrants on board has lost power and is drifting off the coast of Italy in rough seas days after a separate ship carrying 1,000 migrants was rescued. A crewless ship with up to 450 migrants on board that lost power off the coast of Italy is being towed to port, days after a separate ship carrying 1,000 migrants was rescued.
The Italian coast guard has said the Ezadeen, which is sailing under a Sierra Leone flag, was heading for the coast before it lost power. Poor weather is now hampering efforts to assist the stricken ship, which have been underway overnight. Italy’s Guardia Costiera tweeted: “The Coast Guard has taken command of the merchant ship with 450 migrants.”
A helicopter has been sent to lower rescuers and medical personnel onto the 73-metre ship, which is floating 40 miles off Capo di Leuca, in the south-east of Italy. An Icelandic coastguard ship, the Tyr, which is patrolling the seas as part of the EU-wide Frontex mission, is towing the ship to an Italian port.
Italy’s coastguard tweeted: “450 migrants are on board an unmanned freighter headed towards the coast of Puglia. The Coast Guard is coordinating the rescue.” The Italian coast guard had said the Ezadeen, which is sailing under a Sierra Leone flag, was heading for the coast before it lost power. Poor weather hampered efforts to assist the stricken ship, which took place overnight.
News of the second stricken ship comes two days after 1,000 migrants were rescued from the Blue Sky M, which was rescued on Wednesday. A helicopter was sent to lower engineers and electricians onto the 73-metre ship, which was floating 40 miles off Capo di Leuca, in the south-east of Italy.
Nicolo Nicolosi of the Italian Air Force said "So far the operation is going well," on Sky TG24 TV. A blackout on the vessel had earlier hindered rescue efforts.
News of the second ship comes two days after 1,000 migrants were rescued from the Blue Sky M, which was rescued on Wednesday.
Migrants on the Ezadeen were able to operate the radio on the ship and send a distress call to the coastguard, after the crew abandoned the vessel.Migrants on the Ezadeen were able to operate the radio on the ship and send a distress call to the coastguard, after the crew abandoned the vessel.
A coastguard official told SkyItalia “The ship is likely to crash if nothing is done quickly.”
An Icelandic coastguard ship, the Tyr, which is patrolling the seas as part of the EU-wide Frontex mission, was involved in the immediate relief effort.
The Ezadeen, a livestock carrier built in 1966, was due to be sailing from Cyprus to Sete in the south of France, but was commandeered by people traffickers.The Ezadeen, a livestock carrier built in 1966, was due to be sailing from Cyprus to Sete in the south of France, but was commandeered by people traffickers.
Blue Sky M, which was carrying 970 people, was abandoned by its crew, who are also believed to be people traffickers, earlier this week.Blue Sky M, which was carrying 970 people, was abandoned by its crew, who are also believed to be people traffickers, earlier this week.
Coast guards officials were able to board the ship and dock it in the port of Gallipoli. The migrants, who are thought to be mainly Syrians and Kurds, are now being housing temporarily in local schools and a gymnasium.Coast guards officials were able to board the ship and dock it in the port of Gallipoli. The migrants, who are thought to be mainly Syrians and Kurds, are now being housing temporarily in local schools and a gymnasium.
Since November Italy has wound down its comprehensive 9 million euro a month Mare Nostrum or “Our Sea” search and rescue operation, after calling for help in dealing with waves of migrants crossing the Mediterranean.Since November Italy has wound down its comprehensive 9 million euro a month Mare Nostrum or “Our Sea” search and rescue operation, after calling for help in dealing with waves of migrants crossing the Mediterranean.
The EU-led Triton mission, controlled by Frontex, is now attempting to deal with the issue, but limited funds and resources have hampered its efforts to adequately address the situation, according to critics.The EU-led Triton mission, controlled by Frontex, is now attempting to deal with the issue, but limited funds and resources have hampered its efforts to adequately address the situation, according to critics.
Additional reporting AP