Democracy & Justice

Spain Welcomes Migrants From Aquarius Ship

The migrant rescue ship that last week rescued 629 people docked in Valencia on 17 June, bringing an end to a standoff that laid bare tensions between EU member states about immigration. Italy's new far-right...

by LibertiesEU
A photo from the German organization SOS Mediterranee shows the rescued migrants. (Image: SOS MEDITERRANEE)

The migrant rescue ship that last week rescued 629 people docked in Valencia on 17 June, bringing an end to a standoff that laid bare tensions between EU member states about immigration. Italy's new far-right government refused to allow the Aquarius into its ports, forcing it to linger in international waters until Spain's new prime minister announced on 11 June that his country would welcome the ship. Health officials and interpreters were on hand to offer support when it docked in Valencia, and Spain's government has promised free healthcare and an investigation of each asylum case.

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