Rome — On Wednesday, Italy’s interior minister Matteo Salvini ocalled for "guarantees" before allowing an Italian coastguard ship with more than 60 migrants on board to dock. Some of the 67 migrants on the "Diciotti" (Eighteen) vessel are believed to have revolted on a previous boat over fears they could be returned to Libya. The sailors on that ship had locked themselves in the control room and called for help at the Rome-based rescue centre, according to Italian media reports. "For the moment, no port" for Diciotti, Salvini told journalists, adding that any "perpetrators of threats or aggression will not end up in the hotel but in prison". According to press reports, the coastguard vessel could, nevertheless, dock at the Sicilian port of Trapani on Wednesday afternoon. Salvini, who is also deputy prime minister and leader of the far-right League party, has banned NGO rescue boats which pick up migrants in the Mediterranean from docking in Italy. He accuses the NGO ships of helping...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.