Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday (September 17) addressed the burning migrant issue as she toured the Italian island of Lampedusa with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is on a visit to the island to analyse the crisis.&nbsp;

Lampedusa is currently struggling with a surge in migrant arrivals and the leaders have promised a 10-point EU action plan to help Italy deal with the situation.&nbsp;

During their visit to the migrant reception centre, locals protesting over the burden facing the island blocked them briefly as people were angry over the additional burden on resources.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wales-becomes-first-nation-of-uk-to-drop-speed-limit-from-30mph-to-20mph-636922">Wales becomes first nation of UK to drop speed limit from 30mph to 20mph</a>&nbsp;

For instance, the Italian Red Cross, which runs the overcrowded Lampedusa migration centre, said Sunday that 1,500 migrants remained there despite having a capacity for just 400.&nbsp;

So far this year, nearly 126,000 migrants have arrived in Italy, which is almost double the figure by the same date in 2022.&nbsp;

The small island of Lampedusa has recently seen a sharp rise in the number of people arriving by boat, with more than 7,000 landings this week, more than the island's permanent population.&nbsp;

Meloni told the protesters, "We're working on it ... we are doing our best.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/summer-2023-was-hottest-on-record-since-1880-confirms-nasa-636886">Summer 2023 was hottest on record since 1880, confirms NASA</a>&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Von der Leyen set out a 10-point "action plan" to relieve pressure on Italy, where most migrants arrive from north Africa's shores by boat.&nbsp;

"Irregular migration is a European challenge and it needs a European response, we are in this together. You can count on the EU," she said at a joint news conference with Meloni as she spoke in Italian.&nbsp;

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<h2>What is the action plan?&nbsp;</h2>

Von der Leyen said her aid plan for Italy included increased support for the European Agency for Asylum (EUAA).&nbsp;The EU's Frontex border control agency to register new arrivals and repatriate those not eligible for asylum.&nbsp;

She vowed to ramp up the supply of equipment to the coastguard of Tunisia, currently the main departure point for sea migrants.&nbsp;

She also said the authorities will accelerate the transfer of funds to Tunis under a deal struck in July aimed at curbing migration.

Von der Leyen also vowed to increase access to legal channels for the migrants, saying that "the better we are with legal migration the stricter we can be with irregular migration".&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday (September 17) addressed the burning migrant issue as she toured the Italian island of Lampedusa with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is on a visit to the island to analyse the crisis.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday (September 17) addressed the burning migrant issue as she toured the Italian island of Lampedusa with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is on a visit to the island to analyse the crisis. Lampedusa is currently struggling with a surge in migrant arrivals and the leaders have promised a 10-point EU action plan to help Italy deal with the situation. During their visit to the migrant reception centre, locals protesting over the burden facing the island blocked them briefly as people were angry over the additional burden on resources. Also read: Wales becomes first nation of UK to drop speed limit from 30mph to 20mph For instance, the Italian Red Cross, which runs the overcrowded Lampedusa migration centre, said Sunday that 1,500 migrants remained there despite having a capacity for just 400. So far this year, nearly 126,000 migrants have arrived in Italy, which is almost double the figure by the same date in 2022. The small island of Lampedusa has recently seen a sharp rise in the number of people arriving by boat, with more than 7,000 landings this week, more than the island's permanent population. Meloni told the protesters, "We're working on it ... we are doing our best. Also read: Summer 2023 was hottest on record since 1880, confirms NASA Meanwhile, Von der Leyen set out a 10-point "action plan" to relieve pressure on Italy, where most migrants arrive from north Africa's shores by boat. "Irregular migration is a European challenge and it needs a European response, we are in this together. You can count on the EU," she said at a joint news conference with Meloni as she spoke in Italian. × What is the action plan? Von der Leyen said her aid plan for Italy included increased support for the European Agency for Asylum (EUAA). The EU's Frontex border control agency to register new arrivals and repatriate those not eligible for asylum. She vowed to ramp up the supply of equipment to the coastguard of Tunisia, currently the main departure point for sea migrants. She also said the authorities will accelerate the transfer of funds to Tunis under a deal struck in July aimed at curbing migration. Von der Leyen also vowed to increase access to legal channels for the migrants, saying that "the better we are with legal migration the stricter we can be with irregular migration". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Migrant crisis: EU chief and Italy's PM visit Lampedusa, promise swift action

The Italian island of Lampedusa, overwhelmed by the arrival of over 6,000 aliens is finally breathing a sigh of relief after the government started sending the migrants to Sicily, according to news agency AFP.&nbsp;

The migrants were lined up and loaded in buses and vans, headed to the island's ports to take them to Sicily where they will be sent to&nbsp;migrant processing centres.

According to the Red Cross branch of Italy, up until Friday (September 15), more than 700 transfers had already taken place while another 2,500 were expected to leave the island soon.&nbsp;

Earlier this week, more than 6,000 aliens crashed on the island whose total population is only 6,000. Images and videos of thousands of migrants, arriving on the island, scaling the&nbsp;perimeter fence and wandering around went viral on social media platforms.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/lampedusa-grapples-with-surge-in-migrant-arrivals-635877">Watch |&nbsp;Lampedusa grapples with surge in migrant arrivals</a>

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Italy's&nbsp;Far-Right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday said the pressure of migrants arriving in the country was "unsustainable" and called on the European Union to intervene.

"The migratory pressure that Italy has been experiencing since the beginning of the year is unsustainable," she said, adding that it sprang from the "difficult international situation" in Africa. The figure is almost double what was recorded in the same period of 2022.

<h2>Why&nbsp;Lampedusa?</h2>

Lampedusa, located just 90 miles (around 145 kilometres) off the eastern coast of Tunisia is Italy's first port of call for people crossing from North Africa.&nbsp;

Recent months have seen a great influx of migrants using Tunisia as the main departure point to enter Europe. Earlier, most migrants attempting to leave the conflict-ridden zones of Africa and the Middle East used to take the Libya route to enter the continent.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-20-migrants-missing-after-boat-drowns-off-tunisian-coast-17-rescued-580513">Also read |&nbsp;At least 20 migrants missing after boat drowns off Tunisian coast, 17 rescued</a>

Overall, about 118,500 boat migrants have arrived in Italy since the start of the year, according to interior ministry data last updated on Tuesday morning.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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The Italian island of Lampedusa, overwhelmed by the arrival of over 6,000 aliens is finally breathing a sigh of relief after the government started sending the migrants to Sicily, according to news agency AFP.

The Italian island of Lampedusa, overwhelmed by the arrival of over 6,000 aliens is finally breathing a sigh of relief after the government started sending the migrants to Sicily, according to news agency AFP. The migrants were lined up and loaded in buses and vans, headed to the island's ports to take them to Sicily where they will be sent to migrant processing centres. According to the Red Cross branch of Italy, up until Friday (September 15), more than 700 transfers had already taken place while another 2,500 were expected to leave the island soon. Earlier this week, more than 6,000 aliens crashed on the island whose total population is only 6,000. Images and videos of thousands of migrants, arriving on the island, scaling the perimeter fence and wandering around went viral on social media platforms. Watch | Lampedusa grapples with surge in migrant arrivals × Italy's Far-Right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday said the pressure of migrants arriving in the country was "unsustainable" and called on the European Union to intervene. "The migratory pressure that Italy has been experiencing since the beginning of the year is unsustainable," she said, adding that it sprang from the "difficult international situation" in Africa. The figure is almost double what was recorded in the same period of 2022. Why Lampedusa? Lampedusa, located just 90 miles (around 145 kilometres) off the eastern coast of Tunisia is Italy's first port of call for people crossing from North Africa. Recent months have seen a great influx of migrants using Tunisia as the main departure point to enter Europe. Earlier, most migrants attempting to leave the conflict-ridden zones of Africa and the Middle East used to take the Libya route to enter the continent. Also read | At least 20 migrants missing after boat drowns off Tunisian coast, 17 rescued Overall, about 118,500 boat migrants have arrived in Italy since the start of the year, according to interior ministry data last updated on Tuesday morning. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Crowded Lampedusa breathes easy after government transfers migrants to Sicily

Over 1,000 migrants were brought to safety at two ports in Italy on Saturday (March 11) after the coastguard launched a major operation on Friday for three boats struggling in the rough seas off Calabria. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, one coastguard vessel brought 584 migrants to Reggio Calabria while another vessel with 487 migrants arrived at the port of Crotone, close to the scene of the February 26 shipwreck, which killed 74.

Speaking to the news agency, local officials said that further 200 migrants were picked up off the coast of Sicily and would be ferried to Catania later on Saturday.&nbsp;Since Wednesday, more than 4,000 people have reached Italy, compared to 1,300 people in all of March 2022.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italy-migrant-shipwreck-death-toll-likely-to-be-over-100-reports-suggest-566781">Italy migrant shipwreck death toll likely to be over 100, reports suggest</a>

The toll in the February 26 shipwreck has climbed to 74 after the body of a young girl was recovered on Saturday. Seventy-nine people migrants survived and 30 are still missing.&nbsp;

The tragedy has caused sharp criticism of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government. Apart from being criticised for its failure to intervene in time to save the boat, the government is also struggling to contain the influx of migrants, despite promising repeatedly to stem the flow.&nbsp;

On Thursday, Prime Minister Meloni held a cabinet meeting at Cutro, near the disaster site, and announced a new decree that included stiffer prison sentences for human traffickers. The cabinet also promised to open up more channels for legal migration. However, no new measures were introduced to help save lives.&nbsp;

In recent times, Italy has seen a spike in the number of migrants attempting to reach its shores via the dangerous Mediterranean crossing. According to interior ministry figures, over 17,500 people arrived by sea so far this year -- almost three times the number for the same period last year, the news agency AFP reported on Saturday.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Over 1,000 migrants were brought to safety at two ports in Italy on Saturday (March 11) after the coastguard launched a major operation on Friday for three boats struggling in the rough seas off Calabria.

Over 1,000 migrants were brought to safety at two ports in Italy on Saturday (March 11) after the coastguard launched a major operation on Friday for three boats struggling in the rough seas off Calabria. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, one coastguard vessel brought 584 migrants to Reggio Calabria while another vessel with 487 migrants arrived at the port of Crotone, close to the scene of the February 26 shipwreck, which killed 74. Speaking to the news agency, local officials said that further 200 migrants were picked up off the coast of Sicily and would be ferried to Catania later on Saturday. Since Wednesday, more than 4,000 people have reached Italy, compared to 1,300 people in all of March 2022. ALSO READ | Italy migrant shipwreck death toll likely to be over 100, reports suggest The toll in the February 26 shipwreck has climbed to 74 after the body of a young girl was recovered on Saturday. Seventy-nine people migrants survived and 30 are still missing. The tragedy has caused sharp criticism of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government. Apart from being criticised for its failure to intervene in time to save the boat, the government is also struggling to contain the influx of migrants, despite promising repeatedly to stem the flow. On Thursday, Prime Minister Meloni held a cabinet meeting at Cutro, near the disaster site, and announced a new decree that included stiffer prison sentences for human traffickers. The cabinet also promised to open up more channels for legal migration. However, no new measures were introduced to help save lives. In recent times, Italy has seen a spike in the number of migrants attempting to reach its shores via the dangerous Mediterranean crossing. According to interior ministry figures, over 17,500 people arrived by sea so far this year -- almost three times the number for the same period last year, the news agency AFP reported on Saturday. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Over 1,000 migrants brought to safety at Italian ports

More than 250 migrants disembarked in Sicily on Saturday from an NGO rescue ship, while another vessel carrying around 550 people was given permission to land on the Italian island.

Both ships had put out urgent appeals for a safe port following days at sea in the central Mediterranean, warning of the deteriorating health of those on board, who include children.

"The #SeaWatch3 (ship) reached the port of Trapani this morning. We are happy to finally have a port of safety," the German organisation Sea Watch International tweeted, saying 257 people were being disembarked.

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The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SeaWatch3?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SeaWatch3</a> reached the port of Trapani this morning. We are happy to finally have a port of safety. Before our guests can safely go ashore, all 257 rescued people on board will be tested for COVID-19. <a href="https://t.co/elrI5rHcvD">pic.twitter.com/elrI5rHcvD</a>
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On Thursday, they had warned of a "critical" situation, with a lack of many medicines and symptoms of dehydration appearing among many of those on board, some of whom had been at sea for a week.

Meanwhile, the crew of another rescue vessel, Ocean Viking, told AFP they had been given permission to disembark their 549 passengers at the Sicilian port of Pozzallo on Sunday.

They had earlier warned they were running out of medication, some onboard were suffering from dehydration and others had skin infections.

"What we need is a place of safety to disembark them as soon as possible," crew member and spokeswoman Julia Schaerfermeyer said, adding that 118 minors including 13 children aged under 12 were among those on board.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/german-ngo-sea-watch-rescues-nearly-100-migrants-overnight-in-mediterranean-402107">German NGO Sea-Watch rescues nearly 100 migrants overnight in Mediterranean</a>

The vessel, run by French NGO SOS Mediterranee, rescued 555 people last weekend, although two pregnant women and two others have since been evacuated, alongside two of their relatives.

They were waiting off the east coast of Sicily for permission to disembark. They said requests to Malta were rejected while Tunisia and Libya did not respond.

Schaerfermeyer had appealed to the European Union to help coordinate plans to manage rescue ships in international waters, "to step up in support of the coastal states, and for a predictable disembarkation mechanism to be put in place".

Tens of thousands of people seek to cross the central Mediterranean each year, normally setting off from Libya and aiming for the Italian coast, but it is a deadly journey.

Almost 1,000 people have died on the route so far this year, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

More than 250 migrants disembarked in Sicily on Saturday from an NGO rescue ship, while another vessel carrying around 550 people was given permission to land on the Italian island.

More than 250 migrants disembarked in Sicily on Saturday from an NGO rescue ship, while another vessel carrying around 550 people was given permission to land on the Italian island. Both ships had put out urgent appeals for a safe port following days at sea in the central Mediterranean, warning of the deteriorating health of those on board, who include children. "The #SeaWatch3 (ship) reached the port of Trapani this morning. We are happy to finally have a port of safety," the German organisation Sea Watch International tweeted, saying 257 people were being disembarked. The #SeaWatch3 reached the port of Trapani this morning. We are happy to finally have a port of safety. Before our guests can safely go ashore, all 257 rescued people on board will be tested for COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/elrI5rHcvD — Sea-Watch International (@seawatch_intl) August 7, 2021 × On Thursday, they had warned of a "critical" situation, with a lack of many medicines and symptoms of dehydration appearing among many of those on board, some of whom had been at sea for a week. Meanwhile, the crew of another rescue vessel, Ocean Viking, told AFP they had been given permission to disembark their 549 passengers at the Sicilian port of Pozzallo on Sunday. They had earlier warned they were running out of medication, some onboard were suffering from dehydration and others had skin infections. "What we need is a place of safety to disembark them as soon as possible," crew member and spokeswoman Julia Schaerfermeyer said, adding that 118 minors including 13 children aged under 12 were among those on board. Also read | German NGO Sea-Watch rescues nearly 100 migrants overnight in Mediterranean The vessel, run by French NGO SOS Mediterranee, rescued 555 people last weekend, although two pregnant women and two others have since been evacuated, alongside two of their relatives. They were waiting off the east coast of Sicily for permission to disembark. They said requests to Malta were rejected while Tunisia and Libya did not respond. Schaerfermeyer had appealed to the European Union to help coordinate plans to manage rescue ships in international waters, "to step up in support of the coastal states, and for a predictable disembarkation mechanism to be put in place". Tens of thousands of people seek to cross the central Mediterranean each year, normally setting off from Libya and aiming for the Italian coast, but it is a deadly journey. Almost 1,000 people have died on the route so far this year, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Hundreds of migrants find safe port in Italy

A fishing boat carrying nearly 370 migrants landed overnight on the Italian island of Lampedusa, the country's news agencies said on Sunday, fueling anger from local officials over a recent rise in illegal arrivals.&nbsp;

Italy has been struggling in recent months with daily arrivals of hundreds of migrants leaving from North Africa to its southern shores, a task complicated by security measures imposed by the ongoing coronavirus crisis.&nbsp;

Local Lampedusa Mayor Toto Martello called for a general strike on the island from Monday to protest the national government's "frightening silence" on the issue.

"Lampedusa can no longer cope with this situation. Either the government takes immediate decisions or the whole island will go on strike," Martello told ANSA news agency. "We can't manage the emergency and the situation is now really unsustainable."

The boat carrying 367 people, which was in danger of sinking due to high winds, was escorted by the Italian coast guard and police to the island's port, ANSA news agency said.

Those onboard included 13 women and 33 minors.

They were met at the port by a demonstration organised by the far-right, anti-immigrant League party.

The migrants, whose nationalities were not known, underwent temperature checks before they were taken to an emergency reception centre on the island which now houses some 1,160 people, ten times its planned maximum capacity, Martello told ANSA.

About 30 other small boats, mostly from the Tunisian coast, had already reached the island since Friday carrying a total of around 500 migrants, the Italian press reported.

"If a fishing boat of this size with hundreds of people arrives here and nobody notices it, it means that there are no controls in the Mediterranean," Martello said. "But what do the military vessels do? We are not at war, why not use them for security interventions at sea and to transfer migrants."

Nello Musumeci, the right-leaning leader of sister island Sicily, on Sunday wrote on Facebook that he would ask the government for a meeting on the "humanitarian and health crisis".&nbsp;

"Lampedusa can't do it anymore. Sicily cannot continue to pay for the indifference of Brussels and the silence of Rome," he wrote.

Musumeci issued a decree last week ordering the closure of migrant centres in Sicily to curb the spread of coronavirus, a move that was rejected by the Italian courts.

Mayors on the island have voiced fears that the presence of migrants could discourage tourism.

Thousands of people are thought to have died making the dangerous trip across the Mediterranean to flee conflict, repression and poverty in Africa and the Middle East.

The migrant crisis has divided the European Union. Italy two years ago closed its ports to rescue boats, until in 2019, France and Germany agreed to share intake of migrants landing in Italy and Malta.

<h2>'Traumatic injuries'&nbsp;</h2>

According to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, attempts by migrant boats to cross the Mediterranean into Europe have increased this year, up 91 percent from January to July over last year's figures, to more than 14,000 people.

The Italian coast guard on Saturday also transported 49 people who had been rescued in the Mediterranean by the MV Louise Michel, a vessel funded by the British street artist Banksy.

The 150 other passengers on that ship were transferred late Saturday to the humanitarian rescue boat Sea-Watch 4, which now has some 350 people on board and is looking for a port of disembarkation.

The crew of the vessel chartered by German NGO Sea Watch and medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) wrote on Twitter that it was treating people for "fuel burns, dehydration, hypothermia &amp; traumatic injuries".

The German-flagged Louise Michel had said it needed aid after helping a boat carrying at least one dead migrant in the sea that divides Africa and Europe.

Its crew said the 31-metre (101-foot) Louise Michel had become overcrowded and unable to move, warning that some of the migrants had fuel burns and had been at sea for days.

The rescued migrants later said three people had died at sea before the arrival of the Louise Michel.

Banksy, who keeps his identity a secret, explained in an online video that he had bought the boat to help migrants "because EU authorities deliberately ignore distress calls from non-Europeans".

A fishing boat carrying nearly 370 migrants landed overnight on the Italian island of Lampedusa, the country's news agencies said on Sunday, fueling anger from local officials over a recent rise in illegal arrivals.

A fishing boat carrying nearly 370 migrants landed overnight on the Italian island of Lampedusa, the country's news agencies said on Sunday, fueling anger from local officials over a recent rise in illegal arrivals. Italy has been struggling in recent months with daily arrivals of hundreds of migrants leaving from North Africa to its southern shores, a task complicated by security measures imposed by the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Local Lampedusa Mayor Toto Martello called for a general strike on the island from Monday to protest the national government's "frightening silence" on the issue. "Lampedusa can no longer cope with this situation. Either the government takes immediate decisions or the whole island will go on strike," Martello told ANSA news agency. "We can't manage the emergency and the situation is now really unsustainable." The boat carrying 367 people, which was in danger of sinking due to high winds, was escorted by the Italian coast guard and police to the island's port, ANSA news agency said. Those onboard included 13 women and 33 minors. They were met at the port by a demonstration organised by the far-right, anti-immigrant League party. The migrants, whose nationalities were not known, underwent temperature checks before they were taken to an emergency reception centre on the island which now houses some 1,160 people, ten times its planned maximum capacity, Martello told ANSA. About 30 other small boats, mostly from the Tunisian coast, had already reached the island since Friday carrying a total of around 500 migrants, the Italian press reported. "If a fishing boat of this size with hundreds of people arrives here and nobody notices it, it means that there are no controls in the Mediterranean," Martello said. "But what do the military vessels do? We are not at war, why not use them for security interventions at sea and to transfer migrants." Nello Musumeci, the right-leaning leader of sister island Sicily, on Sunday wrote on Facebook that he would ask the government for a meeting on the "humanitarian and health crisis". "Lampedusa can't do it anymore. Sicily cannot continue to pay for the indifference of Brussels and the silence of Rome," he wrote. Musumeci issued a decree last week ordering the closure of migrant centres in Sicily to curb the spread of coronavirus, a move that was rejected by the Italian courts. Mayors on the island have voiced fears that the presence of migrants could discourage tourism. Thousands of people are thought to have died making the dangerous trip across the Mediterranean to flee conflict, repression and poverty in Africa and the Middle East. The migrant crisis has divided the European Union. Italy two years ago closed its ports to rescue boats, until in 2019, France and Germany agreed to share intake of migrants landing in Italy and Malta. 'Traumatic injuries' According to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, attempts by migrant boats to cross the Mediterranean into Europe have increased this year, up 91 percent from January to July over last year's figures, to more than 14,000 people. The Italian coast guard on Saturday also transported 49 people who had been rescued in the Mediterranean by the MV Louise Michel, a vessel funded by the British street artist Banksy. The 150 other passengers on that ship were transferred late Saturday to the humanitarian rescue boat Sea-Watch 4, which now has some 350 people on board and is looking for a port of disembarkation. The crew of the vessel chartered by German NGO Sea Watch and medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) wrote on Twitter that it was treating people for "fuel burns, dehydration, hypothermia & traumatic injuries". The German-flagged Louise Michel had said it needed aid after helping a boat carrying at least one dead migrant in the sea that divides Africa and Europe. Its crew said the 31-metre (101-foot) Louise Michel had become overcrowded and unable to move, warning that some of the migrants had fuel burns and had been at sea for days. The rescued migrants later said three people had died at sea before the arrival of the Louise Michel. Banksy, who keeps his identity a secret, explained in an online video that he had bought the boat to help migrants "because EU authorities deliberately ignore distress calls from non-Europeans".

More migrant arrivals fuel local anger in Italy's Lampedusa

The number of migrants landing on Italy’s shores has more than doubled in the last year as an economic crisis in Tunisia fuels migration in boats across the Mediterranean, Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese said on Saturday.

More than 21,000 people reached Italy between August 2019 and the end of July, up 148 per cent year-on-year, the minister said, speaking at an annual Aug. 15 press conference.

Lamorgese said the majority of the arrivals were “autonomous landings, hard to manage... with small boats and dinghies”, rather than those rescued at sea and brought ashore. Many of them land on Italy’s southern Mediterranean island of Lampedusa.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italy-approves-outpatient-use-for-abortion-pill-319128">Also read:&nbsp;Italy approves outpatient use for abortion pill</a>

In the 12-month period, just over 5,000 people were rescued, mainly by ships operated by NGOs, according to data from the ministry.

Over 80 per cent of the migrants reaching Italy left from Tunisia and Libya, the data showed, with Tunisia’s crisis stoking the numbers attempting the treacherous crossing.

“The numbers aren’t very high - they are certainly higher than last year’s but we must put them into context: Tunisia is in a deep economic, social and political crisis,” Lamorgese told reporters.

“We have seen entire families leave to reach Italian territory.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-germany-italy-threaten-sanctions-over-arms-for-libya-314396">Also read:&nbsp;France, Germany, Italy threaten sanctions over arms for Libya</a>

For years Italy has been the primary route into Europe for hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers and other migrants and Libya’s west coast a main departure point for African migrants hoping to reach Europe.

A peak was reached between August 2016 and July 2017, when almost 183,000 migrants reached Italy.

Numbers started falling due to an Italian-led effort to disrupt smuggling networks and support the Libyan coastguard to intercept boats, but have picked up in 2020.

Lamorgese’s predecessor, head of the anti-immigrant League party Matteo Salvini, took a hardline against charity ships that rescued migrants at sea, closing Italian ports and accusing the rescue groups of de facto collaboration with human traffickers.

Lamorgese said that she would meet Tunisian President Kais Saied on Monday to discuss the issue, along with Italy’s Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio and EU Commissioners Ylva Johansson and Olivér Várhelyi.

The number of migrants landing on Italy’s shores has more than doubled in the last year as an economic crisis in Tunisia fuels migration in boats across the Mediterranean, Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese said on Saturday.

The number of migrants landing on Italy’s shores has more than doubled in the last year as an economic crisis in Tunisia fuels migration in boats across the Mediterranean, Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese said on Saturday. More than 21,000 people reached Italy between August 2019 and the end of July, up 148 per cent year-on-year, the minister said, speaking at an annual Aug. 15 press conference. Lamorgese said the majority of the arrivals were “autonomous landings, hard to manage... with small boats and dinghies”, rather than those rescued at sea and brought ashore. Many of them land on Italy’s southern Mediterranean island of Lampedusa. Also read: Italy approves outpatient use for abortion pill In the 12-month period, just over 5,000 people were rescued, mainly by ships operated by NGOs, according to data from the ministry. Over 80 per cent of the migrants reaching Italy left from Tunisia and Libya, the data showed, with Tunisia’s crisis stoking the numbers attempting the treacherous crossing. “The numbers aren’t very high - they are certainly higher than last year’s but we must put them into context: Tunisia is in a deep economic, social and political crisis,” Lamorgese told reporters. “We have seen entire families leave to reach Italian territory.” Also read: France, Germany, Italy threaten sanctions over arms for Libya For years Italy has been the primary route into Europe for hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers and other migrants and Libya’s west coast a main departure point for African migrants hoping to reach Europe. A peak was reached between August 2016 and July 2017, when almost 183,000 migrants reached Italy. Numbers started falling due to an Italian-led effort to disrupt smuggling networks and support the Libyan coastguard to intercept boats, but have picked up in 2020. Lamorgese’s predecessor, head of the anti-immigrant League party Matteo Salvini, took a hardline against charity ships that rescued migrants at sea, closing Italian ports and accusing the rescue groups of de facto collaboration with human traffickers. Lamorgese said that she would meet Tunisian President Kais Saied on Monday to discuss the issue, along with Italy’s Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio and EU Commissioners Ylva Johansson and Olivér Várhelyi.

Number of migrants landing in Italy more than doubles in past year

Italian authorities on Monday seized the charity <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-to-increase-border-patrols-and-deportations-to-curb-migrant-influx-246948">rescue vessel Eleonore</a> with around 100 migrants aboard, who are to disembark after the ship entered Italian territorial waters despite a ban.

"The Eleonore will soon arrive at Pozzallo," Sicily, tweeted German charity Lifeline which operates the vessel.

The ship has been at sea for eight days waiting for a safe port to dock after rescuing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ocean-viking-rescue-ship-awaits-port-access-in-latest-migrant-standoff-244800">around 100 migrants</a> in distress while crossing the Mediterranean.

Three charity vessels are currently banned from entering Italian territorial waters in accordance with the hardline politics of the outgoing League-Five Star Movement coalition government.

Italy customs officers seized the Eleonore as part of the draconian legislation after it sailed into Italian waters on Monday.

The ship's captain Claus-Pieter Reisch said he headed for Italy as "the situation on board is life-threatening" because of heavy rain overnight and stormy seas.

Another rescue vessel, the Mare Jonio, with 31 rescued migrants on board was on Monday holding its position in international waters off Italy's southern Lampedusa island awaiting a safe port, Luca Faenzi spokesman told AFP.

The Mare Jonio rescued 98 people in distress off Libya last week, with 67 vulnerable people disembarked to Italy, including women, children and urgent medical cases, Faenzi said.

A third vessel, the Alan Kurdi operated by German charity Sea Eye, was on Monday sailing between Malta and Italy after also being banned from Italian waters by outgoing far-right interior minister Matteo Salvini.

Salvini, who is being removed from the government after he tried to bring it down, issued a tough security decree earlier this year which fines rescue vessels a million euros and provides for them to be seized and their captains prosecuted if they enter Italian waters without authorisation.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is in talks to form a new government without Salvini.

Italian authorities on Monday seized the charity rescue vessel Eleonore with around 100 migrants aboard, who are to disembark after the ship entered Italian territorial waters despite a ban.

Italian authorities on Monday seized the charity rescue vessel Eleonore with around 100 migrants aboard, who are to disembark after the ship entered Italian territorial waters despite a ban. "The Eleonore will soon arrive at Pozzallo," Sicily, tweeted German charity Lifeline which operates the vessel. The ship has been at sea for eight days waiting for a safe port to dock after rescuing around 100 migrants in distress while crossing the Mediterranean. Three charity vessels are currently banned from entering Italian territorial waters in accordance with the hardline politics of the outgoing League-Five Star Movement coalition government. Italy customs officers seized the Eleonore as part of the draconian legislation after it sailed into Italian waters on Monday. The ship's captain Claus-Pieter Reisch said he headed for Italy as "the situation on board is life-threatening" because of heavy rain overnight and stormy seas. Another rescue vessel, the Mare Jonio, with 31 rescued migrants on board was on Monday holding its position in international waters off Italy's southern Lampedusa island awaiting a safe port, Luca Faenzi spokesman told AFP. The Mare Jonio rescued 98 people in distress off Libya last week, with 67 vulnerable people disembarked to Italy, including women, children and urgent medical cases, Faenzi said. A third vessel, the Alan Kurdi operated by German charity Sea Eye, was on Monday sailing between Malta and Italy after also being banned from Italian waters by outgoing far-right interior minister Matteo Salvini. Salvini, who is being removed from the government after he tried to bring it down, issued a tough security decree earlier this year which fines rescue vessels a million euros and provides for them to be seized and their captains prosecuted if they enter Italian waters without authorisation. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is in talks to form a new government without Salvini.

Now, Italy seizes rescue vessel Eleonore with 100 migrants onboard

Five EU states agreed to take in scores of migrants stranded for weeks on board a crowded rescue ship, EU authorities said on Wednesday, ending a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/charity-ship-seeks-port-for-356-rescued-migrants-in-the-mediterranean-244622">prolonged standoff </a>with Rome over their fate.

The around one hundred mostly African migrants, picked up in the Mediterranean from early August onwards by the Open Arms, had been forced to remain on the Spanish-registered vessel after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-sends-warship-to-pick-up-migrants-off-italys-coast-244491">Italian government refused</a> to allow it to dock in line with a closed ports policy it adopted last year.

They finally disembarked on the Sicilian island of Lampedusa on Tuesday night after an Italian prosecutor ordered the ship's seizure and evacuation. Several of the migrants jumped overboard and tried to swim to shore.

Spain, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Portugal had agreed to take all of them in, said a European Commission spokeswoman in Brussels. Authorities in Madrid and Lisbon confirmed their readiness to participate.

A succession of charity vessels has struggled over the past year to bring migrants rescued at sea to Italian shores. The country's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has taken a tough line on migrant entry since the coalition government he forms part of took office in June 2018.

With the continuous flow of refugees desperate to cross from Africa to Europe, the Commission said it was seeking recipient states for the migrants on board a second charity ship, the Norwegian-flagged Ocean Viking, whose disembarkation Salvini had also sought to prevent. The ship is carrying 356 migrants.

Refinitiv data pinpointed that vessel west of the Maltese island of Gozo.

Salvini, who has clashed with Italy's court system over his attempts to veto landings, says the country has borne too much responsibility for handling migration to Europe. This month the coalition his League party formed with the 5-Star movement collapsed.

Signs of the impact of the migration crisis were also evident in Madrid, where the government said the Open Arms was not authorised to carry out rescues, only to provide humanitarian aid. The charity had previously been threatened with a fine if it continued to perform rescues.

Asked if the government would sanction Open Arms, Spain's acting deputy prime minister Carmen Calvo declined to answer directly, telling Cadena Ser radio that no one was above the law, "including a ship like this."

European Commission spokeswoman Tove Ernst said the five countries receiving the Open Arms migrants would register them and make necessary checks and transport arrangements, meaning the relocation from Lampedusa would take some time.

"The Commission will ...do its utmost to support and help to ensure that procedures are as swift as possible," she said.

EU states have been at loggerheads over migration since a spike in Mediterranean arrivals in 2015, with bitter feuds over how to handle refugees and migrants damaging the bloc's unity. EU leaders are due to discuss the issue again when they meet in Brussels mid-October.

Five EU states agreed to take in scores of migrants stranded for weeks on board a crowded rescue ship, EU authorities said on Wednesday, ending a prolonged standoff with Rome over their fate.

Five EU states agreed to take in scores of migrants stranded for weeks on board a crowded rescue ship, EU authorities said on Wednesday, ending a prolonged standoff with Rome over their fate. The around one hundred mostly African migrants, picked up in the Mediterranean from early August onwards by the Open Arms, had been forced to remain on the Spanish-registered vessel after the Italian government refused to allow it to dock in line with a closed ports policy it adopted last year. They finally disembarked on the Sicilian island of Lampedusa on Tuesday night after an Italian prosecutor ordered the ship's seizure and evacuation. Several of the migrants jumped overboard and tried to swim to shore. Spain, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Portugal had agreed to take all of them in, said a European Commission spokeswoman in Brussels. Authorities in Madrid and Lisbon confirmed their readiness to participate. A succession of charity vessels has struggled over the past year to bring migrants rescued at sea to Italian shores. The country's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has taken a tough line on migrant entry since the coalition government he forms part of took office in June 2018. With the continuous flow of refugees desperate to cross from Africa to Europe, the Commission said it was seeking recipient states for the migrants on board a second charity ship, the Norwegian-flagged Ocean Viking, whose disembarkation Salvini had also sought to prevent. The ship is carrying 356 migrants. Refinitiv data pinpointed that vessel west of the Maltese island of Gozo. Salvini, who has clashed with Italy's court system over his attempts to veto landings, says the country has borne too much responsibility for handling migration to Europe. This month the coalition his League party formed with the 5-Star movement collapsed. Signs of the impact of the migration crisis were also evident in Madrid, where the government said the Open Arms was not authorised to carry out rescues, only to provide humanitarian aid. The charity had previously been threatened with a fine if it continued to perform rescues. Asked if the government would sanction Open Arms, Spain's acting deputy prime minister Carmen Calvo declined to answer directly, telling Cadena Ser radio that no one was above the law, "including a ship like this." European Commission spokeswoman Tove Ernst said the five countries receiving the Open Arms migrants would register them and make necessary checks and transport arrangements, meaning the relocation from Lampedusa would take some time. "The Commission will ...do its utmost to support and help to ensure that procedures are as swift as possible," she said. EU states have been at loggerheads over migration since a spike in Mediterranean arrivals in 2015, with bitter feuds over how to handle refugees and migrants damaging the bloc's unity. EU leaders are due to discuss the issue again when they meet in Brussels mid-October.

Five EU states agree to take in migrants stranded in rescue ship

The Italian government on Monday adopted a security decree which will make it easier to expel migrants and strip them of Italian citizenship.

The new bill is "a step forward to make Italy safer," Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said on Facebook.

He added that it would help Italy "be stronger in the fight against the mafia and (people) smugglers".

Parliament has 60 days to vote the bill into law.

Salvini said the decree streamlines the rules for processing asylum requests and brings Italy into line with other EU countries.

Humanitarian protection -- a lower level of asylum that is based on Italian rather than international law -- would be awarded based on six strict criteria.

These include whether there was urgent medical need or if the applicant was the victim of a natural disaster, Salvini told journalists.

He said around a quarter of those who have applied for asylum in recent years in Italy have been given humanitarian protection, which is a provisional status.

Those seeking refugee status will have their requests suspended if they are "considered socially dangerous or convicted in the first instance" of crimes, while their appeals are ongoing.

Asylum seekers accused of "dealing drugs or bag-snatching" will have their applications denied, Salvini said.

The Italian government on Monday adopted a security decree which will make it easier to expel migrants and strip them of Italian citizenship. The new bill is "a step forward to make Italy safer," Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said on Facebook.

The Italian government on Monday adopted a security decree which will make it easier to expel migrants and strip them of Italian citizenship. The new bill is "a step forward to make Italy safer," Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said on Facebook. He added that it would help Italy "be stronger in the fight against the mafia and (people) smugglers". Parliament has 60 days to vote the bill into law. Salvini said the decree streamlines the rules for processing asylum requests and brings Italy into line with other EU countries. Humanitarian protection -- a lower level of asylum that is based on Italian rather than international law -- would be awarded based on six strict criteria. These include whether there was urgent medical need or if the applicant was the victim of a natural disaster, Salvini told journalists. He said around a quarter of those who have applied for asylum in recent years in Italy have been given humanitarian protection, which is a provisional status. Those seeking refugee status will have their requests suspended if they are "considered socially dangerous or convicted in the first instance" of crimes, while their appeals are ongoing. Asylum seekers accused of "dealing drugs or bag-snatching" will have their applications denied, Salvini said.

Italy government adopts hardline anti-migrant decree

Some 2,300 migrants headed for Italy in 22 barely seaworthy vessels were rescued off the Libyan coast on Thursday, the Italian coastguard said.

Coastguard and military vessels joined forces with others chartered by humanitarian organisations to come to the rescue of the migrants, who were packed into 10 wooden boats and 12 rubber dinghies.

&quot;About 2,300 migrants were rescued in the Mediterranean today,&quot; the coastguard said in a statement.

Prudence, a vessel chartered by medical charity Medecins sans Frontieres, picked up 770 people, many of them young children -- one a baby aged just six weeks, it said.

SOS Mediterranee&#39;s and MSF&#39;s Aquarius vessel rescued 560 people and Phoenix, chartered by Maltese NGO &nbsp;Moas, hauled in another 360.

Some 46,000 migrants had reached the Italian coast this year even before Thursday&#39;s drama, around a third up on the same period last year, according to the Italian interior ministry.

At least 1,229 people have drowned making the perilous trip, according to the International Organization for Migration -- one death for every 39 persons rescued.

The latest wave of people picked up comes as Italy beefs up security ahead of next week&#39;s G7 summit at Taormina in Sicily.

The summit poses a challenge given that local authorities on the island have banned migrants from disembarking at Sicilian ports.

Southern mainland ports or and those in the of Sardinia will instead take the strain.

(Reuters)

Coastguard and military vessels joined forces with others chartered by humanitarian organisations to come to the rescue of the migrants

Some 2,300 migrants headed for Italy in 22 barely seaworthy vessels were rescued off the Libyan coast on Thursday, the Italian coastguard said. Coastguard and military vessels joined forces with others chartered by humanitarian organisations to come to the rescue of the migrants, who were packed into 10 wooden boats and 12 rubber dinghies. "About 2,300 migrants were rescued in the Mediterranean today," the coastguard said in a statement. Prudence, a vessel chartered by medical charity Medecins sans Frontieres, picked up 770 people, many of them young children -- one a baby aged just six weeks, it said. SOS Mediterranee's and MSF's Aquarius vessel rescued 560 people and Phoenix, chartered by Maltese NGO Moas, hauled in another 360. Some 46,000 migrants had reached the Italian coast this year even before Thursday's drama, around a third up on the same period last year, according to the Italian interior ministry. At least 1,229 people have drowned making the perilous trip, according to the International Organization for Migration -- one death for every 39 persons rescued. The latest wave of people picked up comes as Italy beefs up security ahead of next week's G7 summit at Taormina in Sicily. The summit poses a challenge given that local authorities on the island have banned migrants from disembarking at Sicilian ports. Southern mainland ports or and those in the of Sardinia will instead take the strain. (Reuters)

2,300 migrants rescued off Libya: Italian coastguard

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