NICOSIA, Cyprus — The Latest on migration issues in Europe (all times local):3:55 p.m.A humanitarian group says its migrant rescue ship has been cleared to leave Malta for repairs, after being prevented from doing so for months by the island’s authorities. The German group Sea-Watch said Saturday that the vessel, Sea-Watch 3, has been “blocked” from leaving Malta since July 2 amid an investigation into Dutch-registered rescue ships. The probe was triggered by questions surrounding the MS Lifeline as it was trying to land in Malta with 234 rescued migrants on board. Sea-Watch said Malta held its ship for almost two months “without justification” after Dutch authorities cleared it of wrongdoing. The group says over 500 people likely drowned in the Mediterranean during the time that the rescue ships were prevented from sailing.

Source: National Post October 20, 2018 10:50 UTC