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SPAIN

'Aquarius' refused permission to dock

The SOS Mediterranée and Médicos Sin Fronteras ship, 'Aquarius', with 141 immigrants on board, is in international waters waiting for a country to allow it to dock. But despite the fact that Barcelona yesterday offered to receive the refugees rescued by the boat on Friday, the Spanish government has stated that “Spain is not the safest port”.

The panorama is similar the previous occasion, in June, when the same vessel was received at the port of Valencia with 629 people. Then, Italy and Malta closed their doors, and Spain provided the solution. This time, however, Pedro Sánchez’ government has turned its back, claiming that Spain “is not the nearest port according to that established by international law,” given that the ship is now near Malta.

“The situation is stable, but cannot be prolonged much longer,” SOS Mediterranée has warned.

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