This is the first time that Italy has decided to close its ports and not allow migrants and refugees to enter.
The Italian Ministry of Interior, specifically decided not to anchor in an Italian port, the ship "Aquarius", which carries 629 refugees.
In a letter, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini asked the Maltese authorities to allow the ship to anchor in Valletta. Salvini throws the ball in Malta, which he has repeatedly blamed as he said he does not bear the burden due to it.
A decision that the new Conte government justifies as Malta systematically refuses to accept ships carrying migrants and refugees.
The Maltese government, however, says it has no involvement in rescuing refugees and migrants.
"The rescue was carried out in the area (where Libya is responsible) for rescue and was coordinated by the control center in Rome. "Malta is not the coordinating authority and has no power over the case," a government spokesman told Malta Today.
The ship "Aquarius" belongs to the non-governmental organization "Sos Mediterranee", and transports refugees and migrants who started their journey from Libya. They were all rescued Saturday night off Libya, in six different rescue operations. According to Médecins Sans Frontières, the passengers of the "Aquarius" include 123 minors and 7 pregnant women.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini wrote in a Facebook post that Italy says no to illegal immigration.
"Malta does not welcome anyone, France repatriates people at the border, Spain defends its borders with weapons, commonly all of Europe does its job. "Italy also says 'no' to human trafficking, 'no' to illegal immigration."