This despite a decree from outgoing Interior Minister Matteo Salvini barring the Eleonore from Italian waters.

The rescue ship had been stranded at sea for more than a week, putting the migrants at risk.

It is not clear what will happen to them once they have disembarked at Sicily or indeed what the police will do with the ship.

The action comes as anti-immigrant right winger Matteo Salvini prepares to leave office as Interior Minister having lost his job by overplayed his hand in  a domestic power push that has left him in position that many braving the hazardous Mediterranean crossing  might envy: high and dry.

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