Médecins Sans Frontiers have today reported that Italy has ordered the seizure of the search and rescue ship, Aquarius, for alleged illegal waste treatment.

Responding to the reports, Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty UK's Refugee and Migrant Rights Programme Director, said:

“This appears to be the latest effort to discredit the vital search-and-rescue operations by charities and volunteers in the central Mediterranean, in a shameless attempt to offer justification for the deliberate blocking of this life-saving work.

“The Aquarius has reportedly rescued more than 30,000 women, men and children over a period of more than two years. People’s lives are now being lost in greater numbers because governments have stopped the Aquarius, and other charitable organisations, operating at sea.”