Update 6: Tanker ignored instructions to head to Libya, Government insists

(Adds information) A tanker that picked up migrants near Libya was stopped from entering Maltese waters and is currently under army surveillance, the Government said. In a statement,  it said the tanker was instructed to turn back and take the migrants to the closest safe port of call, which was Libya. A Government spokesman said the tanker ignored instructions and continued on its way to Malta. But the Greek ship owners told timesofmalta.com that the ship captain was instructed to proceed on its course towards Malta by the Italian authorities after saving the 102 migrants. However, this version was disputed by the Government. The spokesman insisted that the Italian rescue authorities in Rome issued instructions to MT Salamis “to proceed to the closest port of safety, being a port in Libya”. The spokesman said there were no instructions from the Italians for the ship to proceed to Malta. He said the tanker was stopped by the AFM 24 nautical miles off the island. Sources said this was the second such incident last night after another group of 96 migrants were rescued by a Turkish cargo ship in the Libyan search and rescue zone. The Turkish ship, Adakent, followed Italian rescue...