Refugee rescue crew honoured

The crew and owners of a Norwegian freighter that staged a daring high seas rescue of 438 asylum seekers last year were presented the Nansen Refugee Prize today as part of events marking World Refugee Day.

The €108,000 award from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees also noted the courage and determination of the 27 members of the Tampa crew in an 11 day standoff with Australia over landing mostly Afghan refugees on its soil.