French-run rescue ship picks up 85 migrants off Libya
A ship operated by the humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has rescued 80 migrants from a rubber dinghy off Libya.
MSF said on Twitter on Friday that the migrants were in distress, and posted pictures showing the migrants being ferried to the Norwegian-flagged rescue ship Ocean Viking aboard an orange dinghy.
A hotline for migrants run by a network of activists said it was alerted to the boat off Libya carrying 80 people, including five women and four children, and informed both authorities and the Ocean Viking.
MSF Sea✔@MSF_Sea
UPDATE: 85 people incl. 4 children rescued from the rubber boat in distress spotted by an #EU aircraft this morning. The 2-hour operation took place in intl. waters, 60nm from #Libya shores. The #OceanViking remains in the area, ready to assist other potential boats in distress
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, who has triggered a government crisis in Italy, said he is preparing to sign a ban on the ship’s entry into Italian waters. Under a new government decree, the ship would risk a 1 million-euro fine.
