Italy sends first asylum seekers to Albania under controversial pact

Men from countries deemed safe are transferred to Albania to have asylum claims processed

The first people to be intercepted at sea by the Italian navy under a controversial migration deal with Albania are on their way to the Balkan nation to have their asylum claims processed.

As part of the pact signed off by Italy's far-right prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, a navy ship set off on Monday and is due to arrive at the port of Schengjin on Wednesday morning. The interior ministry confirmed on Monday night that 16 men - - 10 Bangladeshis and six Egyptians - who it said had arrived from Libya and were rescued on Sunday in international waters by the Italian coastguard were on board.