Under the old regime, jokes about elections, the dollar or even mentioning the president's name could mean arrest or worse
world2 days ago
Over 100 passengers, including migrants, were rescued from a ferry sailing from Italy's Lampedusa to Sicily early Saturday, after a fire broke out in the engine room, authorities said.
The ferry from Lampedusa to Porto Empedocle in southern Sicily was carrying 177 people, including 27 crew members and 83 migrants, who were being transferred from the small island, the Coast Guard said.
Many migrants land on Lampedusa after making the dangerous Mediterranean crossing by boat, before being transferred to reception centres elsewhere.
A recent surge of landings on the island has pushed the migration issue to the top of the European agenda, with Italy's hard-right government demanding more help from the EU.
More than 130,000 migrants have arrived on Italy's shores so far this year, almost double the number last year, according to interior ministry figures.
The passengers on Saturday were brought to safety and put onto patrol vessels for transfer to Sicily or back to Lampedusa, the Coast Guard said.
The ferry, which is inoperable, will be towed to port with its crew aboard, it said.
ALSO READ:
Under the old regime, jokes about elections, the dollar or even mentioning the president's name could mean arrest or worse
world2 days ago
Last minute delay comes amid heightened political crisis; Han accused by opposition of acting against the will of people
world2 days ago
France has been mired in political deadlock since Macron gambled on snap elections this summer in the hopes of bolstering his authority
world2 days ago
Ankara is in close touch with Syria's new leaders and focussing on the voluntary return of Syrian refugees
world2 days ago
Rail, Tram and Bus Union state secretary Toby Warnes told local media it had never been the union's plan to cause major disruptions on New Year's Eve
world2 days ago
The 50,000-year-old female mammoth has been nicknamed 'Yana' after the river in whose basin it was discovered this summer
world3 days ago
The aid group raises an alarm over the worsening humanitarian situation in the besieged Palestinian territory
world3 days ago
Jordanian foreign minister says HTS leader Al Sharaa realises threat of Daesh; Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs also arrives in Damascus
world3 days ago