Stand-off over Italy migrant ship

Two doctors have boarded a ship carrying 37 African migrants after coastguards refused to let the ship dock at the Italian island of Sicily. The Italian doctors will see if anyone needs immediate medical attention, amid threats from some of the refugees that they will jump overboard. The German-registered ship rescued the 36 Sudanese and another African from a leaking dinghy late last month. They are thought to be fleeing from the conflict-hit Darfur region. The Italian interior ministry said the ship's captain radioed for help on Sunday morning, signalling "he was no longer able to guarantee the control of the ship and the command of the crew" and was concerned about the "psychic-physical" well-being of the migrants. The ministry said anyone in need of care would be taken to local hospitals, but that the ship itself would have to remain outside the port.