With 800 migrants on board: “C-I 4” is allowed to dock

After several days of travel through the Mediterranean Sea, “C-I 4” is allowed to dock in Sicily. The rescue ship carried 800 migrants. “Ocean Viking” still waiting to be handed over to a port.

German aid organizations C-I and Mission Lifeline’s rescue ship “C-I4” is allowed to dock with more than 800 people in Trapani, Sicily. The ship had been awaiting the allocation of a safe harbor since Thursday, after the Italian authorities decided.

According to the C-I, more than 200 minors and five pregnant women were among those rescued from the Mediterranean Sea. Trapani, located on the western tip of Sicily, is expected to arrive on Sunday.

“We are relieved and delighted that the difficult hours for our crew and those rescued will end on Sunday and people will finally be safe in Italy,” said C-I President Gordon Isler. At the same time “hurt” about “Malta’s failure to provide aid”. The island state did not respond to emergency calls during the week.

After receiving no response from Malta, the island was headed for Lampedusa. The ship of the Regensburg Association was not allowed to dock there. Because chances were forecast to be high in Sicily and the weather was bad, the ship continued towards Sicily. There it crossed in front of the port city of Agrigento until the authorities gave a fine to Trapani.

ship heavily overloaded

According to the organisation, “C-I 4” rescued more than 800 migrants in multiple activities from Tuesday to Wednesday night. About half of it was taken from an overcrowded wooden boat into which water was already entering. “Si I 4” is designed for about 200 people. C-I chairman Isler said many people fell because of the narrowness and darkness below deck.

Ship operated by SOS Mediterranean Organization “Ocean Viking” 313 rescued are still waiting to be assigned a port. SOS Mediterranean spokeswoman Barbara Hohl announced that Maltese authorities canceled the crew on Friday. “Unfortunately, we are in a state of normalcy: after the rescue we have to wait a very long time until we are finally given a port.”