Migrants stranded at sea allowed to disembark in Sicily after 37-day maritime standoff

A 37-day maritime standoff surrounding 27 migrants finally came to an end on Saturday, September 12. In what is being described as ‘longest standoff’ in Europe's maritime history, migrants h been trapped onboard a commercial tanker after being rescued from an overcrowded boat. asylum seekers were rescued around 70 nautical miles of coast of Libya and included a pregnant woman and a child.

Maritime 'stand-off' resolved

As per Saving Humans NGO, migrants were rescued by Danish tanker Maersk Etienne on August 5 but n Maltese authorities refused to allow migrants to disembark on its territory despite having asked tanker to intervene. Following Maltese authorities' u-turn on rescue, tanker was now stranded with 27 anxious migrants on board.

As per a video uploed on Twitter by an Italian NGO Mediterranea, Captain of Danish tanker Volodymyr Yeroshkin notes that ship did not have facilities to equately house and take care of migrants on boards. turning point in standoff arrived when a rescue boat operated by an NGO transferred migrants to its boat. Subsequently, Italian interior ministry allowed migrants to disembark at port of Pozzallo in Sicily.

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Moria Fire

Meanwhile, Greece's largest migrant camp in Moria suffered from a devastating fire that has left thousands of migrants without shelter. At time of fire, camp was occupied by people fleeing war and poverty in Middle East, Africa, and Asia and was originally designed to house 2,750 people. Moria camp was set up back in 2015-16 to handle massive wave of migration into Europe.

Authorities in Greece are currently scrambling to house thousands of refugee men, women and children who have been forced out on ro and seek shelter wherever y can. Temporary camps with tents offering migrants have alrey been set up. As per reports, Greek migration minister Notis Mitarachis has stated that his officials are doing ir utmost to ensure migrants have somewhere safe to sleep.

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