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Rescue workers in the Mediterranean have told The Nine that a recent crackdown by the Italian government has left them helpless, with their boats tied to shore, as migrants continue to drown.

The Italian authorities have denied some of the ships permission to leave the harbour.

The boats would be used to try and rescue migrants and bring them to Europe.

The Italian government has told us their new, hard-line policy is aimed at dissuading people from making the journey at all.

Our Europe Correspondent, Jean MacKenzie, reported from Sicily where some of the rescue boats are being detained.