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Banksy-funded migrant rescue ship obstructed by Italian authorities

A rescue ship funded by British street artist Banksy has actually been grounded at port for 20 days for ignoring migrant disembarkation orders from Italian authorities, the charity running the vessel stated on Wednesday.

The Louise Michel ship had actually been told to take 37 individuals saved at sea to Pozzallo in Sicily, but instead took them to the island of Lampedusa, saying the sea was too rough to reach its prescribed destination.

Our rescue ship MV Louise Michel has actually been apprehended for 20 days in the port of Lampedusa, the Louise Michel charity wrote on X. We were notified that the ship is now apprehended for not following the order to disembark in Sicily, it added.

Italy's conservative government has actually faced criticism for restricting the activities of charity rescue ships, including orders to take migrants to remote ports, increasing their fuel costs and taking them away from search and rescue areas.

Banksy, who keeps his identity trick, is known for his social and political advocacy. The charity and the 30-metre-long rescue vessel he is sponsoring are called after Louise Michel, a. 19th century French feminist anarchist.

(source: Reuters)