Migrant crisis continues as over 900 African refugees arrive to southern Italy

[News_Editor]

Migrant crisis continues as over 900 African refugees arrive to southern Italy

2011-03-30 00:40:59 GMT+7 (ICT)

SICILY, ITALY(BNO NEWS) -- Approximately 900 refugees from North Africa arrived to Lampedusa Island in southern Italy continuing the migrant crisis, the ANSA news agency reported on Tuesday.

A boat carrying 454 asylum-seekers arrived overnight to the migrant-packed Lampedusa while local residents continued demonstrations against the "migrant invasion" at council offices.

In addition around 500 migrants landed in Sicily. On Tuesday, the protests continued calling the government to come up with solutions to put an end to the immigrant crisis on the island.

On Monday, a group of local residents blocked transit in front of the Lampedusa port's military access road. A group of fishermen towed four boats used by migrants to block the sea entrance of the port.

About 3,700 migrants, mostly from Tunisia have arrived in recent days to Lampedusa, bringing the total number of asylum seekers to an estimated 7,000. This amount represents 1.5 times more than the local population.

The Italian government has labeled the situation as an emergency citing health risks and enduring miserable conditions. Italy has requested assistance from the EU to cope with the migrant issue.

Lampedusa officials said that food is lacking for migrants as there is only enough for 4,200 people but there are at least 2,000 more on the island. Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said that the situation on Lampedusa is "unacceptable."

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. Last week a navy transport ship was sent to transport migrants out of Lampedusa. On Tuesday, the first ship with 827 migrants arrived to at Manduria near Taranto, Puglia.

Six additional ships are being prepared for evacuating more asylum seekers from the packed island. The Italian government has set up refugee camps in 13 sites in several Italian regions.

The cabinet will meet on Wednesday to discuss the emergency and the recent proposal to grant 150 million Euros ($211.27 million) to Tunisia for port control and relaunch its economy as well as 1,770 Euros ($2,500) for each migrant who decides to return home.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-03-30