European charity SOS Mediterranée said its Ocean Viking vessel has rescued 113 migrants off the coast of Libya on Monday night. The group, which included 30 unaccompanied minors and 23 women, was attempting to make the crossing in a rubber boat. Italy plans tougher controlsThis latest rescue comes as Italy's most right-wing government in decades is studying measures to limit the action of NGOs working to rescue migrants at sea. It said it wanted to discourage charity rescue missions, claiming that they essentially help facilitate smugglers' business. If confirmed, it will mean that NGO ships can only carry out one rescue before immediately informing the Coast Guard and requesting the assignment of a 'safe port'.

Source: Libya Today December 27, 2022 21:11 UTC