MADRID, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish government confirmed on Tuesday that it will send a naval vessel to collect around 100 immigrants who remain on the Spanish flagged rescue ship "Open Arms" off the coast of Italy.
The rescue ships has been at sea for 19 days after saving around 150 migrants from drowning in the Mediterranean Sea and since last Friday moored around 800 meters off the coast of the Italian island of Lampedusa; in sight of land but not allowed to dock by Italian authorities.
Conditions onboard have deteriorated steadily in recent days, although children were evacuated last week and eight more people were taken off the ship for medical reasons on Monday night.
Tuesday saw several migrants jump over the side of the boat and attempt to swim the short distance to Lampedusa, with six of them picked up by Italian coast guard boats and taken to shore.
Now the Spanish government has offered a solution with the naval vessel "Audaz", sailing from the naval base of Rota (southwest Spain) to collect the migrants.
"After analyzing a number of different options, the Spanish government, in accordance with the logistic recommendations of the Navy, believes that this one is the most appropriate and will allow for the resolution this week of the humanitarian emergency on board," said a government communique.
On Sunday Spain offered the Open Arms the possibility of docking in the port of Algeciras (southwest Spain) and later changed that offer to Mahon (on the island of Menorca) after the Open Arms said it would take between four and six days sailing to reach Algeciras.
The Audaz will carry medical staff and psychologists in order to treat any of the migrants who need medical or psychological help after their long ordeal, which is not yet over.
