When the 629 migrants of the Aquarius finally reach land in the Spanish port of Valencia on Sunday, they will be greeted by a banner declaring, in five languages: “Welcome home”. 

After more than a week at sea, the gruelling Mediterranean odyssey of those rescued by the NGO ship will come to an end in the city, the “safe harbour” offered by new prime minister Pedro Sanchez after Italy shut its ports. 

Valencia, which has declared itself a “City of Refuge”, has mounted a vast operation to receive the migrants, with a more than 2,300-strong contingent working to ensure their smooth arrival.

On Saturday at the city’s port, amid groups of tourists waiting to board pleasure cruises, aid workers and…

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