Aquarius charity ship of rejected refugees close to Spain

NGOs in Valencia are gearing to receive the ship of refugees that had been turned away from Italy, prompting renewed discussions in the EU over the fate of incoming refugees and migrants.

After more than a week at sea, 629 migrants aboard the Aquarius and two Italian vessels are due to sail into Spain‘s port city of Valencia.

A diplomatic row over the fate of the refugees was settled between Italy and France after both insisted that EU migration policy needs to be overhauled.

Italy‘s denial of a safe harbour led to an international outcry earlier this week.

Al Jazeera’s Karl Penhaul joins reports from Valencia.