The 108 migrants who had been forced to stay aboard the 'Alexander Maersk' since June 22 left the ship shortly after midnight on June 26 in Pozzallo after the Italian authorities allowed the migrants to disembark, despite the political decision not to accept more migrants
The 108 migrants who had been forced to stay aboard the 'Alexander Maersk' since June 22 left the ship shortly after midnight on June 26 in Pozzallo after the Italian authorities allowed the migrants to disembark, despite the political decision not to accept more migrants. The Danish government has pressed hard during the recent days to get Italy to accept the 113 migrants whom the 'Alexander Maersk' had rescued in the Mediterranean Sea upon the request of Italian authorities. Initially, only five people, including a pregnant woman, were allowed to leave the ship while food, medicine and sanitary equipment were brought to the 'Alexander Maersk' which can usually accomodate only 24 crew members. It was not known whether the Danish government has secured guarantees for what will happen to the 113 migrants in the future. 'The crew has been doing heroic efforts in recent days, and we are very proud of the way they've addressed this difficult situation. It has been a stressful time for the crew and we will focus on giving them time to rest and get to grips, as well as offering them emergency assistance as needed,' the A.P. Møller-Maersk company stated in an announcement. The container ship returned to the sea in the morning of June 26 and was now heading for Malta.