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As European states squabble, more than 500 migrants stranded at sea+ Video

SHAFAQNA- Press TV: Because no European state member has asked the European Union to coordinate the disembarking among countries, 507 rescued migrants on board rescue vessels Ocean Viking and Open Arms remain stranded at sea on Tuesday.

The Ocean Viking ship, run by Doctors without Borders (MSF) with Franco-German charity SOS Mediterranee, rescued 81 people on Sunday and another 105 on Monday, making a total of 356 on board of the aid boat.

Spanish NGO Open Arms has been at sea for 12 days and still waiting for a safe port to disembark the 151 rescued migrants.

Eight people with health issues were taken by a rescue dinghy to Malta on Monday.

Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has said Spain should accept the Open Arms migrants and has repeated his policy of closed ports.

Spain’s Socialist government accepted the Aquarius rescue boat last year following a similar stand-off but has since hardened its position, saying that the Open Arms should look for a closer port.

Last week the European Union’s executive called on member states to show solidarity and find a solution for the boat.