NGO migrant ship to face first test of Italy's new govt policy
STORY: The ship, operated by French NGO SOS Mediterranee, is currently carrying 202 migrants, while another 180 were saved in different operations by Humanity 1.
The actions of the ships, which have both sought a safe harbor in Italy or Malta, were "not in line" with European and Italian rules on security and border control or the fight against illegal immigration, the interior ministry said in a statement.
It comes as a coastguard statement said 663 people and two bodies were picked up from a boat around 60 miles off Sicily, while 494 more people were rescued from another fishing boat closer to the island.
The operations were carried out by the coastguard, the Guardia di Finanza financial police, and by a Spanish vessel working for the European Union border agency Frontex.
In her maiden speech to parliament on Tuesday, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she wanted to stop sea departures and warned that her government would not allow people to enter Italy illegally.
