Italian government accused of breaching international maritime law

Italian government officials are thought to have prevented hundreds of migrants from disembarking rescue vessels in Sicily.

The charities running the boats say some of those onboard were rescued from the sea more than two weeks ago and are living in difficult conditions on the boats.

Italian Prime Minister Girogia Meloni has called on countries associated with the NGOs running these ships, namely Germany and Norway, to take these migrants in.

Pope Francis has called for an international response to rescuing migrants.