German NGO rescues 150 migrants at sea

After rescuing 150 migrants at sea, a German NGO vessel has been unable to dock off the coast of Sicily, even as bad weather approaches.

Italy has closed its ports to foreign-flagged rescue boats, citing fears over the coronavirus pandemic, and denied a request to dock by the Alan Kurdi, the German-flagged rescue ship.

According to a statement by rescue organisation Sea-Eye, the ship is in urgent need of supplies, such as food, medicine and fuel.

In the early hours of the Good Friday, the Italian Coast Guard evacuated one person in need of medical care.

Authorities from Malta and Libya have also said their own ports are unsafe, meaning the "Alan Kurdi" has yet to find a port.

More than 500 migrants set out from Libya this week, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Their fates have been complicated by the virus.

About 280 migrants were picked up after three days at sea by the Libyan Coast Guard, but then denied entry to the Libyan capital, Tripoli.