Maersk containership picks up 113 migrants south of Italy

The containership 'Alexander Maersk' picked up 113 migrants from a boat off south Italy, on Friday June 22, Maersk Line informed during the weekend.

Namely, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre asked the vessel to to change its course on Thursday, in order to pick up the migrants on Friday morning, Reuters reported. 

The containership is currently south of Sicily, where it waits for further instructions from the authorities. The people on board are well in their health, considering their situation. 

Last week, after refusing to accept 226 migrants onboard a German charity rescue ship, Italy now seems to relent, saying it would take them in, but would impound the vessel, Reuters said.

Interior minister, Matteo Salvini, initially said the Dutch-flagged ship Lifeline should take the people from the Mediterranean to the Netherlands and not Italy. However, transport minister, Danilo Toninelli, later said it was unsafe for the 32-meter vessel to travel such a great distance with so many people onboard.