Italy rescued more than 1,300 irregular immigrants
In a written statement from the Coast Guard, it was said that 500 migrants in one boat and 379 people in a second boat were rescued, with the support of other Italian security units, despite difficult conditions such as adverse weather and sea. and the overcrowding of immigrant boats.
It was noted that Coast Guard crews rescued 487 migrants off the coast of Crotone on Friday night and brought them to port.
In the statement, it was indicated that rescue operations were carried out on 2 boats carrying immigrants 100 nautical miles off the coast of the city of Rocella Ionica in the south.
Yesterday it was stated that more than 3 thousand irregular immigrants arrived in Italy by crossing the Mediterranean in the last 3 days. The number of immigrants arriving in the country since the beginning of the year amounts to 17,592.
On the other hand, it was reported that the number of people who died in the disaster that occurred on February 26, when a migrant boat sank off the town of Steccato di Cutro, in the south of the country, increased to 76 with 3 without life. bodies found today.
Meanwhile, a march was held in Steccato di Cutro, with the participation of approximately 5 thousand people, calling to “Stop the massacre”. Several non-governmental organizations and unions also supported the march.
Marchers walked silently for the immigrants who died in the latest disaster and left flowers on the beach.
THE PROBLEM OF IRREGULAR MIGRATION IN THE CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN
There has been intense activity on irregular migration routes in the Central Mediterranean in recent years.
Migration activity intensifies in the central Mediterranean on days when sea and weather conditions are good.
European non-governmental organizations often rescue irregular migrants who ask for help at sea, rather than European government officials. These NGOs have difficulties in evacuating the irregular migrants they rescue from time to time because the EU member states do not provide them with a ‘safe haven’.
THEY PASS THROUGH THE FIRST ISLAND
The first place where immigrants who can cross the Mediterranean or are rescued on their own set foot in Europe is the island of Lampedusa, which is the closest land part of Italy to North Africa.
A large number of irregular immigrants die every year trying to cross the Mediterranean, due to the capsizing of the boat or the lack of air and water due to overcrowding in the boats. (AA)