Dozens of Migrants Throw Themselves Into Sea at Palermo After Malta Refuses NGO Boat

Open Arms, an NGO that seeks to protect migrants traveling across the Mediterranean, said on Thursday, September 17, that 76 migrants aboard one of its vessels had thrown themselves into the sea at the Sicilian port of Palermo.

Docking permission was repeatedly refused by Malta, according to Open Arms founder Oscar Camps, and the migrants jumped into the water while waiting for permission to dock from authorities at Palermo.

IlSicilia.it reported that the migrants were rescued by Italian port authorities.

Open Arms said on September 14 that 278 migrants in total were aboard their vessel. Credit: Open Arms/Oscar Camps via Storyful