Madrid (dpa) - The German migrant rescue ship Alan Kurdi left the Spanish port of Burriana on Friday night to head out into the Mediterranean Sea after four months out of action, the charity Sea-Eye said.

Sea-Eye, the German organization that operates the vessel, did not give further details.

Italian authorities impounded the Alan Kurdi, which is trying to rescue migrants in distress in the Mediterranean, for what they said were technical reasons on May 5. It was subsequently taken to the port near Valencia for repairs.

In August, Sea-Eye launched a legal challenge in Sicily against the Italian authorities' decision, arguing that Italy did not have the power to decide on whether the vessel was seaworthy.

The organization says it was unable to complete three operations while the vessel was impounded and being repaired.

The charity said 252 people have died in the ship's area of operation since May, citing UN figures.