Italian authorities have spent over 200,000 euros from EU sources on escorting rescue boat Aquarius to the Spanish port of Valencia after the Rome government refused to accept over 600 migrants on board in June, EUobserver learned by analyzing data obtained through a freedom of information request. Over 90 percent of the money spent came from the European Commission's emergency rescue service grants and was used mostly to cover costs of the Italian Coast Guard. However, the politically charged operation’s costs were “without any doubt exorbitant” according to an ex-Coast Guard commander.