Geo Barents rescued 48 migrants from a wooden boat off the coast of Libya while Ocean Viking rescued 84 migrants from a crammed rubber dinghy. Both ships have been assigned ports much further north in the Adriatic ports of Ancona an1
An unidentified man has died in a fire at a container home complex for migrants and homeless persons in Hamburg. Police are still investigating the cause of the blaze.
An Italian court has declared a decree restricting sea rescue unlawful. The decree issued by the Italian government stipulates that only the migrants most in need of protection from a rescue ship are allowed to go ashore.
A Vietnamese family faces imminent deportation after a last-ditch attempt to be granted residence failed. Pham Phi Son has lived in Germany for 35 years -- his daughter is due to start school this summer.
Survivors of the earthquakes in Turkey will be able to apply for visas to join family members in Germany under special new procedures. The aim is to cut down on bureaucracy, but for Syrians the hurdles are still high.