Migrant rescue boat defies ban and enters Italian waters

A charity ship carrying dozens of migrants rescued in the Mediterranean has entered Italian waters off the island of Lampedusa despite the threat of hefty fines from Italy's interior minister.

A Guardia di Finanza patrol boat seizes the NGO ship Sea Watch, which has been anchored for two days off Lampedusa, Italy, 19 May 2019. Source: EPA/Giuseppe Milana

"I've decided to enter the port of Lampedusa," Captain Carola Rackete explaines in a video tweeted by the Sea Watch 3 account.

"I know this is risky, but the 42 shipwrecked on board are exhausted. I will bring them to safety."

In a video post late afternoon, Ms Rackete added: "And now they are waiting for further instructions from their superiors. I really hope they will take the rescuees off the ship."

Journalist and Coordinator of  InfoMigrants.net Patrizio Nassirio gives us an update. 

Read the full story in English here. 

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