Times of Malta | 08.08.2017
Golfo Azzurro denied entry to Italian waters after rerouting from near Malta
A migrant rescue vessel denied entry into both Italian and Maltese territory remains stranded in international waters after rerouting towards Sicily earlier today.
The Golfo Azzurro was intercepted by an Italian coast guard ship as it approached the Sicilian port town of Pozzallo, having spent more than 24 hours circling just outside Malta’s territorial waters.
Ship tracking services showed the vessel heading west of Sicily at around 5.35pm, only for it turn and face east around 40 minutes later, with an Italian coast guard vessel keeping watch close by.
The Golfo Azzurro, which is carrying three migrants aboard, was stranded in international waters following a diplomatic tug-of-war between Italian and Maltese authorities.