Richard Gere visits migrants stuck at sea in Mediterranean

Actor Richard Gere, left, talks with migrants aboard the Open Arms Spanish humanitarian boat as it cruises in the Mediterranean Sea. Open Arms has been carrying 121 migrants for a week in the central Mediterranean awaiting a safe port to dock, after it was denied entry by Italy and Malta. (AP Photo)

Actor Richard Gere, right, talks to a rescued migrant aboard the Open Arms Spanish humanitarian boat as it cruises in the Mediterranean Sea. (AP Photo)

US actor Richard Gere helps to carry supplies aboard the Open Arms in the Mediterranean sea. (Reuters)

Actor Richard Gere, center, talks with staff members of the Open Arms Spanish humanitarian boat as it cruises in the Mediterranean Sea. (AP Photo)

Actor Richard Gere, right, helps serve meals to migrants aboard the Open Arms Spanish humanitarian boat as it cruises in the Mediterranean Sea. (AP Photo)

US actor Richard Gere surrounded by rescued migrants aboard the Open Arms in the Mediterranean sea. (Reuters)

US actor Richard Gere talks to a rescued migrant aboard the Open Arms in the Mediterranean sea. (Reuters)

• The Hollywood star took food and supplies by boat Friday to 121 people aboard the Open Arms, a rescue ship floating in international waters near the Italian island of Lampedusa
• The 69-year-old actor carried fruit boxes on board and spoke to several migrants who had fled war-torn Libya on unseaworthy smuggling boats before being rescued

ABOARD THE OPEN ARMS ON THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA: Actor Richard Gere is visiting rescued migrants on board a humanitarian ship that has been stuck in the Mediterranean Sea for over a week.
The Hollywood star took food and supplies by boat Friday to 121 people aboard the Open Arms, a rescue ship floating in international waters near the Italian island of Lampedusa after being blocked from entering ports in Italy and Malta.
The 69-year-old actor carried fruit boxes on board and spoke to several migrants who had fled war-torn Libya on unseaworthy smuggling boats before being rescued. Gere urged the world to “please support us here on Open Arms and help these people, our brothers and sisters.”
Other European countries have yet to respond to the aid group’s request for a solution to the impasse over the rescue ship.