Italy’s coastguard said on Thursday they have seized a boat operated by a German NGO that last month rescued more than 200 people stranded at sea, because it did not comply with safety rules. Sea-Watch 3 had moored in the southern Italian port of Porto Empedocle.

The mainly African passengers were moved to the Italian ferry Moby Zaza, where 28 reportedly tested positive for the new coronavirus. The coastguard said an inspection had found a number of irregularities that threatened the safety of those on board and the shop must fix the irregularities before resuming operations.

In April, Italy banned migrant rescue ships from docking in its ports until July 31 because of the coronavirus pandemic. It now transfers all those saved at sea onto large ferries which must wait off its coast.

Migrant arrivals in Italy fell in 2019 following a crackdown in Libya against people smugglers. However, they have picked up again this year, with 6,195 landings to date, compared to 2,445 in the same period of 2019, Reuters said.

Source: RT