Italy rejects any blame for deadly migrant shipwreck
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Opposition lawmakers and humanitarian groups have decried Italy's decision to send only border police boats and not coast guard rescue boats to the aid of the vessel soon after it was spotted. Italian authorities decided it was a law enforcement matter as the boat neared Italy's territorial waters and sent out two border police boats operated by members of Italy's financial police. “If the financial guard boats couldn't make it, how was a wooden boat supposed to make it?” lawmaker Giuseppe Provenzano of the opposition Democratic Party thundered in response to the interior minister's account. Piantedosi's statement from several days ago that “desperation can't justify journeys putting children's lives at risk” incensed her and other opposition politicians, who accused the minister of blaming the victims.
Italy's right-wing ministers crack down on NGOs helping migrants entering by sea
Migrants paid suspected smugglers nearly $12,500 to board 'voyage of death' to Italy
Discover Related
Italy sends 40 asylum seekers awaiting deportation to Albania
Italy says six dead, 40 missing after migrant shipwreck
Italian coast guard recovers bodies of 6 migrants who died in shipwreck in the Mediterranean
Six dead, 40 missing as migrant boat capsizes near Italy’s Lampedusa
Tunisia rescues 64 migrants from capsizing boat off eastern Mediterranean coast
Tunisia rescues 64 migrants from capsizing boat off eastern Mediterranean coast
Foreign Fishing Boat Seized Near St. Mary’s Island; Three Arrested
Taiwan is investigating a Chinese-crewed ship believed to have severed an undersea cable
Italian navy ship drops off 49 migrants in Albania despite previous court rejections
Italy resumes migrant transfers to Albania detention centres with 49 on navy vessel
Italy arrests senior Libyan police officer on ICC warrant
8 dead, 18 rescued as speedboat carrying migrants capsizes near Greek island of Rhodes
8 dead, 18 rescued as speedboat carrying migrants capsizes near Greek island of Rhodes
Italian court clears Vice Premier Salvini of illegally detaining migrants on rescue ship
Philippines and China swap allegations after vessel ‘sideswiped’ in disputed waters
Philippines says China Coast Guard fired water cannon, 'sideswiped' govt vessel