UPDATE: MSF Twitter Channel: Spanish MRCC in contact with Aquarius to offer Valencia as a safe port of disembarkation. MSF welcomes this gesture of humanity but it would require four more days at sea in a boat already over maximum capacity and in deteriorating weather condition. MSF urged European Member States to facilitate the immediate disembarkation of all 629 people currently being cared for onboard Aquarius at the nearest safe port. They have been at sea for more than 72 hrs.
Earlier: Aquarius – No formal authorisation to go to Valencia yet. Noodles and water sent from Malta reach the vessel.
MSF Twitter Channel: Despite the statements and declarations, it seems that there was no official communications to the crew of Aquarius has not received communications on this matter from relevant Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres in Rome and Madrid. This was communicated via Twitter by the MSF (which operates the Aquarius). (at 1900h GMT+2)
The journey to Valencia, in another tweet, was said to be of further 3 days. MSF added “We are already well over maximum capacity. Health and safety of people rescued onboard including sick + injured people, pregnant women + children must come first.”
Earlier it was reported that people onboard #Aquarius are getting increasingly anxious and desperate. #MSF has informed everybody about current situation. One man threatened to jump overboard, saying he was scared he would be returned to #Libya.
In the meantime a consignment of noodles and water, sent from Malta has arrived on board of the Aquarius.
