Italy deploys ship to address migrants emergency

[News_Editor]

Italy deploys ship to address migrants emergency

2011-03-23 22:14:59 GMT+7 (ICT)

LAMPEDUSA, ITALY (BNO NEWS) -- An Italian ship on Wednesday was deployed to the southern island of Lampedusa to ease the migrant tensions caused by the arrival of thousands of Tunisians to Italian shores.

According to the ANSA news agency, the San Marco navy transport ship was sent as part of a mission to address the humanitarian emergency caused by the estimated 5,500 Tunisian and Libyan migrants and the outnumbered inhabitants of the Mediterranean island.

"The Navy vessel is able to carry up to 600 people in absolute safety, and this transfer of the Tunisians on Lampedusa will take place today," said Defense Minister Ignazio la Russa.

The migrants, most of them from Tunisia, will be transported to the nearby Sicily where the majority is expected to be repatriated. Interior Minister Roberto Maroni will travel to Tunis to reach agreements for the return of the internally displaced people.

On Tuesday, Maroni announced an agreement with Italian regional chief to cooperate in the expected exodus of 50,000 refugees from war-torn Libya. Italy previously set a migrant camp on the Tunisian border with Libya.

The continuing landing of migrants has escalated the emergency in the European country which has witnessed the arrival of around 15,000 people since January; doubling the small island's population and enduring miserable conditions.

Italy has requested assistance from the EU to cope with the migrant emergency. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has promised to aid with the situation.

On March 3, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said that the cabinet approved a humanitarian mission in order to help refugees' efforts on the southern border. Around 2,800 people are currently in Lampedusa's migrant reception center, which is designed to accommodate 800.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-03-23