Luxembourg accepts some of 49 migrants stranded at sea

Migrants aboard the Dutch-flagged rescue Vessel "Sea Watch 3" sailing off Malta's coast, react o 9 January after it was announced that Malta has reached a deal with other EU member states to allow migrants onboard to disembark Photo: AFP

Eight European countries, including Luxembourg, will receive the 49 migrants rescued about two weeks ago and remain at sea off Malta, under an agreement announced on Wednesday by the Maltese government.

Joseph Muscat, prime minister of Malta, announced the details that end the deadlock that began when 32 people were rescued by the Dutch-flagged humanitarian rescue ship 'Sea-Watch 3' on 22 December.

This was followed on 29 December with another 17 asylum seekers rescued by the 'Sea-Eye' humanitarian ship.

Sea Watch 3 sails the Mediterranean about 3 nautical miles off Malta's coast Photo: AFP

Both Italy and Malta refuse to allow private rescue vessels to dock at their ports.

For this reason, the agreement allows for the migrants to be transported by military ships to Malta, before being transferred on to Luxembourg, Germany, France, Netherlands, Ireland, Italy Portugal and Romania.

Six of the asylum seekers from the total of 49 will be destined for Luxembourg. The allocation of migrants to each country is generally proportionate to its size and population.

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