Influx of immigrants to Italy

Activity in the Central Mediterranean, which is the most used irregular migration route in the world, continues to increase in the summer months.

In the news of the Italian agency ANSA, it was reported that more than 4,000 irregular migrants arrived in the country in the last 48 hours, including those who arrived by their own means, those rescued by boats of non-governmental organizations and Italian security forces.

It was recorded that 565 migrants arrived on the island of Lampedusa, which is the closest land part of Italy to Africa, in 15 boats yesterday alone.

It has been said that there are currently around 3,000 irregular migrants in the 400-capacity immigration center on the island of Lampedusa, migrants are transferred to the mainland at intervals, and 1,400 people have been evacuated recently.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and Justice Minister Carlo Nordio were said to have started working to speed up the return of migrants whose asylum claims were not accepted.

According to data from the Ministry of the Interior, the number of irregular migrants arriving by sea from January 1 to June 30, 2023 was 64,930. In the same period last year, this number was 27,633.

It was recorded that the increase in the number of irregular immigrants arriving in the country reached 135 percent.

THE PROBLEM OF IRREGULAR MIGRATION IN THE CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN

In the irregular migratory flow to Europe, the Central Mediterranean route stands out as one of the routes where intense mobility has been observed in recent years.

On this route, European non-governmental organizations often rescue irregular migrants asking 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’.

The first place where migrants 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)