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Kuwaiti tanker concludes its rescue of refugees off Italian coast

By Osama Jalal

KUWAIT, June 17 (KUNA) -- The Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC) has concluded rescuing a large number of refugees whose boat capsized off the coast of Italy, said KOTC CEO Shiekh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Sabah on Tuesday.
In a statement to KUNA, Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Sabah said one of the company's tankers, the Al-Salmi, was bound for Italy in the early hours of the day when it received an urgent distress call from Italian coastguards regarding illegal immigrants whose boats had capsized at sea.
After receiving the call, the crew of the tanker proceeded to immediately contact KOTC's umbrella company, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), which authorized the go ahead in the name of humanity and the protection of human life and in line with international maritime agreements and conventions on saving lives at sea, said Sheikh Talal.
The Al-Salmi tanker had to change its course in order to save the lives of a total of 536 people, described as foreign refugees, who were later dropped off at Italian shores, said Sheikh Talal, adding that one person, suffering diabetes, died.
Most of the people rescued were women and children, some requiring critical medical attention.
KOTC provided the refugees with shelter, food and medical attention, reflecting Kuwait's outstanding commitment to international maritime laws and humanitarian efforts, said Sheikh Talal. (end) asg.ajs