The Maltese government said Saturday it would take in 39 migrants just plucked from the Mediterranean but refused entry to 121 others aboard the same rescue vessel for more than a week.
As a result, Spain's Proactiva Open Arms ONG decided not to disembark any migrants in Malta.
Valletta issued a statement saying it could transfer the 39 migrants rescued late Friday since they were in Malta's rescue zone and the operation had been coordinated.