(CNN) The migrant rescue organization Sea-Watch has accused Italian authorities of inventing irregularities to block its ship from leaving the port of Catania, delaying its return to patrolling the Mediterranean Sea. The Italian Coast Guard said Friday that the ship would be prevented from leaving until it rectified "safety of navigation" faults and other issues. On Thursday, after waiting for nearly two weeks for the Italian government's permission to come ashore, Sea-Watch 3 disembarked 47 migrants in Catania. Migrants aboard the Sea-Watch 3 vessel disembark in the port of Catania on January 31. In a statement, Sea-Watch said there was political pressure on the coast guard to block the ship from departing.

Source: CNN February 01, 2019 15:11 UTC