Charities plea for help after Aquarius migrant rescue ship's flag revoked

Operators claim Panama deflagged vessel after pressure from Italian government

The two charities that operate the Aquarius migrant rescue ship in the Mediterranean have urged European governments to step in to secure its future after its Panamanian flag was revoked following alleged pressure from the Italian government.

Mi(C)decins Sans Frontiires and SOS Mi(C)diterrani(C)e described the decision by the Panama Maritime Authority to deflag the vessel as "a major blow" to the ship's humanitarian mission.