Italy allows ship carrying 179 migrants to dock

Italy allowed a humanitarian rescue ship carrying 179 migrants to enter a Sicilian port and begin disembarking minors early Sunday, while refusing to respond to requests for a safe harbor from three other ships carrying another 900 people in nearby waters.

Italy's new right-wing-led government has closed its ports to rescue ship run by non-governmental organization and insists that it is the countries whose flag the ships fly that must take on the migrants.But it allowed the Humanity 1 access to port to disembark minors and people needing medical attention.

The measure was approved after Germany and France each called on Italy to grant a safe port to the migrants, and indicated they would receive some of the migrants so Italy wouldn't bear the burden alone.