Updated 12.43 pm - The Italian Coast Guard confirmed on Tuesday morning that 400 of the 629 migrants cramming the rescue ship Aquarius are to be transferred to two Italian vessels, and the three vessels will then sail together to Valencia where the migrants will disembark.
The Gibraltar-registered ship, which was stranded in international waters for two days, on Tuesday morning received supplies from the Italian authorities, having also received supplies from Malta on Monday.
The #Aquarius is now receiving supplies, coordinated by #Italian Rescue authorities. The intention of the Italian MRCC is to transfer some people from the #Aquarius to Italian ships & head to #Valencia, #Spain together. #MSF calls for people's safety to come before politics. pic.twitter.com/B6onGWvq19
— MSF Sea (@MSF_Sea) June 12, 2018
Italy closed its harbours to the vessel and its 629 migrants on Sunday, and Malta followed suit, arguing that the Italian action was illegal because the migrants had to be taken to the closest safe port. Italy said it had closed its harbour because it could no longer tolerate being left alone by the EU to tackle the migration problem.
Spain said it would accept the ship on Monday afternoon.
Concerns, however, had been expressed about conditions on board the ship for the voyage to Spain, with most of its decks overcrowded by migrants.
The transfer of some of the migrants to Italian vessels is aimed at easing that problem.
The Coast Guard said some of the migrants will be transferred to the Coast Guard Dattilo and others to an Italian Navy ship.
Medical personnel from the Italian Relief Corps of the Order of Malta will be based on Dattilo to provide medical assistance. Unicef will provide personnel to assist minors.
The trip to Spain is expected to take four days.
Earlier, Doctors Without Borders, who operate the Aquarius, raised concerns about the plan.
"This plan would mean already exhausted rescued people would endure four more days travel at sea," (We) call for people's safety to come before politics."
It added: "The better option would be to disembark the rescued people in the nearest port after which they can be transferred to Spain or other safe countries for further care and legal processing."
SOS Mediterranee said an approaching storm would bring with it waves of over 2 metres (6.5 ft) making any trip to Spain highly uncomfortable.