France to expel 44 of 234 migrants rescued from Mediterranean
After allowing NGO rescue ship Ocean Viking carrying 234 migrants rescued at sea to dock in Toulon, French interior minister Gérald Darmanin has announced that 44 of the group will be deported 'as soon as their health allows', and that others may yet also be expelled.
FranceFrance has rejected asylum applications from 44 of the 234 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean by the Ocean Viking NGO ship, and interior minister Gérald Darmanin has announced they will now be returned to their country of origin, reports FRANCE 24.
The ship was allowed to disembark at the French port of Toulon last Friday after Italy refused access to its ports, sparking a diplomatic row over how to handle the thousands of migrants trying to reach Europe from North Africa each year.
Speaking in parliament, Darmanin said the 44 migrants will be deported "as soon as their health allows," adding that others could also be sent home as more asylum claims are examined.
France had never before allowed a rescue vessel carrying migrants from the Mediterranean to land on its coast, but did so this time because Italy had refused access.
The French government said under international maritime law, the Ocean Viking with its passengers in distress should have been granted access to the nearest ports.
