A rescue ship with 422 migrants on board, some of whom have tested positive for COVID-19, travelled to a port in Sicily on Sunday.
SOS Mediterranee, the humanitarian group that operates the Ocean Viking rescue ship, told The Associated Press that Italy had cleared the ship into the port of Augusta, where it is expected to arrive on Sunday evening, as have the winds. strong foresaw. .
The migrants were rescued in separate operations in the central Mediterranean on Thursday and Friday, 121 of which were crammed into an inflatable boat. Some of the passengers fell overboard during this rescue operation but were taken to safety, SOS Mediterranee said in a statement from Luisa Albera, search and rescue coordinator aboard Ocean Viking.
A total of four separate rescue operations were carried out over two days. Many of those saved are women and children.
Originally, a total of 424 people were rescued, but a pregnant woman and her companion were urgently evacuated to Malta by helicopter on Saturday, according to a statement.
Eight of the rescued migrants have COVID-19 according to tests carried out by the crew and were isolated on board despite the difficulties of overcrowding on the deck.
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