Hundreds stranded at sea as rescue boats heave with people

More than 400 people including women and children were stranded at sea on Saturday aboard vessels running short of space and supplies. The Louise Michel, a 31-metre boat sponsored by street artist Banksy, reported being unable to move after being overwhelmed with more than 200 people aboard. The boat has carried out three separate rescues within its first week of operation. One person has died and survivors have told the crew that three others perished before the rescue took place. It issued a distress call on Friday and said it was in a “state of emergency”. The Sea-Watch 4, a migrant rescue vessel operated by a German NGO that is carrying another 200 migrants of its own, said on Saturday that it was changing course and coming to the aid of the Louise Michel. Sea-Watch 4 crew have also carried out three sea rescues this week. Meanwhile, a commercial Danish-flagged tanker which rescued 27 migrants on August 5 is now into its third week of being stranded at sea. The Maersk Etienne says it was instructed to rescue the migrants by Maltese authorities but is now being refused permission to disembark them in Malta. Malta claims it did not issue any such instructions. The three-week...