Ocean Viking: Migrant rescue ship allowed to dock in France after Italy's refusal

France's government has granted a safe port to the Ocean Viking rescue vessel carrying 234 migrants.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said France would welcome the ship's passengers at the military port in the city of Toulon on Friday.

The Norwegian-flagged vessel -- operated by the NGO SOS Méditerranée -- has been at sea for nearly three weeks.

Italy had refused to allow the migrants to disembark on Italian territory, sparking a dispute with Paris.

Darmanin said the 230 passengers on board the Ocean Viking subsequently would be divided among France, Germany and other European countries.

The French coast guard has already begun a medical examination and four migrants were evacuated from the ship by helicopter for medical reasons.

“All measures will be taken to bring health and medical assistance necessary to the passengers” and to carry out security controls, Darmanin told reporters in Paris following the government's weekly cabinet meeting.

He added that the decision was taken "exceptionally" and that passengers who did not meet the criteria of asylum seekers "would be deported directly".

Some opposition lawmakers have criticised the French government, arguing that by welcoming NGO ships, the country would encourage more migrant smuggling.

Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally, said the move was a "dramatic signal of laxity".

The Ocean Viking had been carrying more than 230 migrants in the Mediterranean Sea for around 20 days.

SOS Méditerranée's director general Sophie Beau had said the situation on board had reached a "critical stage" with the risk of "loss of human life".

After Italy's far-right government refused to grant the ship a safe port, it set sail for the French island of Corsica, hoping to disembark