The first boat carrying hundreds of people picked up in Mediterranean rescue missions has arrived in the Spanish port of Valencia after being turned away from Italy and Malta.

The Aquarius ship is the first of three vessels that have been accepted by the Spanish government after being stranded at sea for almost a week.

Health officials and interpreters could be seen helping people, many of whom were rescued while trying to cross from Libya to Europe, as they disembarked this morning.

Sanctuary was offered to the vessel by Spain's new socialist prime minister Pedro Sánchez after political disputes within the governments of Italy and Malta left the boat without a place to dock.

Mr Sánchez, who has only been in office for two weeks, said: "It is our duty to help avoid a humanitarian catastrophe and offer a safe port to these people, to comply with our human rights obligations."

David Noguera, head of Doctors Without Borders in Spain, said he has "mixed feelings" about the vessel docking, as it doesn't necessarily spell the end of European countries closing their ports to rescue ships.

He said: "I am happy that the journey is over, a journey that was too long, and I am worried for the situation in the Mediterranean and the closing of European ports."

Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Show all 7 1 /7 Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants arriving in Italy on MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie DeardenÍ Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants undergoing health checks after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants undergoing security checks after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants being fingerprinted after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants being fingerprinted after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily A man being taken to hospital from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden

Spanish authorities say they will be examining the migrants case-by-case to see if they qualify for asylum, however added that the boat's passengers will be granted "special authorisation" to remain in the country for at least one month due to the ordeal they have faced over the past week.

Doctors Without Borders reported last week that the Aquarius was carrying 629 people, including 123 unaccompanied minors and seven pregnant women.

Children laugh and play onboard reguee vessel headed for Spain

The vessel was turned away from Italian ports after Matteo Salvini, the country's interior minister and leader of far-right party Lega Nord (Northern League), said Italy will say "no to the business of illegal immigration".

In response to Mr Salvini's hardline stance, the mayor of Sicilian city Palermo, Leoluca Orlando, said he will be going against orders and allowing the refugees to disembark in the city's port.

While a tense standoff between Palermo's port and the Italian coastguard was expected, the situation was quickly diffused when the Spanish government announced its intention to accept the rescue vessels.