ROME: Some 360 cold and hungry migrants are rescued from a second ship abandoned by its crew off Italy’s southern coast.
The Sierra Leone-flagged ship, the Ezadeen, reached the port of Corigliano Calabro after a delicate operation by the Italian navy to take control of the ageing vessel.
It was initially believed to be carrying as many as 450 people but after docking the Italian authorities revised the count to 232 men, 54 women and 74 children.
The migrants, most of who are believed to be fleeing the war in Syria, were provided with food and water and given medical help. All were said to be in good health.
The ship, which usually carries cattle, was abandoned by people traffickers as it headed towards the southern tip of Italy.
