VALLETTA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Malta's government disputed with Proactivata Open Arms, a Spanish non-governmental organization (NGO) devoted to search and rescue at sea, on supplies to a migrant boat on Saturday, local media Times of Malta reported.
The NGO said that Malta's government refused to provide food to over 300 rescued migrants.
"#OpenArms with more than 300 people on board, has no port of disembarkation and Malta denies supply. It's an emergency in #Christmas time." "We are in urgent need of provisions," the NGO posted on social media.
Malta's government later said all migrants were intercepted inside Libyan search and rescue area off the Libyan coast, Times of Malta reported.
"The NGO vessel has stated that it has enough provisions on board for more than two days therefore enough to proceed towards his home port. However, the master chose to proceed south instead and keep loitering at sea waiting deliberately for the situation to deteriorate. This irresponsible action from the NGO vessel deteriorates further the situation and clearly shows that the master is deciding himself contrary to every convention on the port of disembarkation."
The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) rescued a two-day-old infant and his mother from the NGO's boat and took them to hospital earlier Saturday.
