Dutch plans to house refugees on cruise ships described as ‘absurd’ and illegal

Solution to overcrowded asylum centres angers NGOs, though three ships have already been commissioned

Plans to house refugees arriving in the Netherlands on cruise ships have been described as absurd" and illegal, as the Dutch government laid out its solution to overcrowded asylum centres.

Three large ships have already been commissioned and one is due to be anchored in Velsen, near IJmuiden in North Holland, although ministers are struggling to find further willing ports.