Group of migrants brought to Malta on private rescue boat leave for France

The first group of migrants from a private rescue boat that Malta agreed to let dock if they were divided among several countries left for France on Thursday aboard a commercial flight, AP reports. French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb welcomed the arrival of 52 refugees who had been among 234 people who reached Malta last week aboard the Lifeline. Collomb said the operation “shows France’s very concrete solidarity with its European neighbors in the front line for sea arrivals” of migrants. The French Interior Ministry said those arriving in France had been identified as needing asylum. In France, they will be given housing and lessons in the French language and values as part of integration efforts.