Migrant rescue ship docks in French port amid Italy rift

By BARBARA SURK and NICOLE WINFIELD
Associated Press

NICE, France (AP) — A maritime rescue ship has docked in a southern French port carrying 230 migrants whose fates sparked a diplomatic row between France and Italy, as well as fury from far-right rivals of the French government. The Ocean Viking disembarked its passengers at the Toulon port on Friday. They were were expected to undergo health and security checks at a military base there. European rescue group SOS Mediterranee, which operates the ship, said the passengers from Eritrea, Egypt, Syria, Bangladesh, Pakistan and other nations include 57 children and more than 40 are unaccompanied minors. Some of the people on the ship were rescued in the Mediterranean Sea three weeks ago.