We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
ITALY WILL TODAY begin a large scale deployment of forces in the Mediterranean to manage the influx of asylum seekers as the latest boatload carrying 137 migrants arrived on its shores.
The 12-metre long boat was intercepted by coast guards and taken to the tiny island of Lampedusa, where 364 migrants drowned last month in the country’s worst ever refugee shipwreck disaster.
The new arrivals were all migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and are believed to have arrived from Libya, news channel SkyTG24 reported.
They have been taken to an overcrowded refugee centre on Lampedusa, where some of the 155 survivors from the tragedy are also being housed.
In a second accident at sea on Friday, at least 36 people perished and over 200 were plucked from the water when their boat capsized off Malta.
The UN refugee agency estimates some 32,000 migrants have arrived in Malta and Italy this year — many of them from Eritrea, Somalia and Syria.
Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta is expected to meet with his defence, foreign and interior ministers later on Monday to agree on stepping up its air and naval search and rescue operation.
It already has three navy ships patrolling its southern maritime border, as well as ships and planes from the coast guard and border patrol.
Italy and Malta have appealed for more assistance from other European states to deal with the sharp increase in refugee arrivals this year.
The number of asylum seekers landing on its shores has increased drastically since the Arab Spring revolts in North Africa in 2011.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
It’s Italy I feel sorry not them
Is human compassion dead and gone because we are facing a few financial difficulties??Think for one minute why these people are fleeing. And you think we have problems?!?!
@Niall H Most of the problems in their countries are caused by their primitive cultural practices.When they arrive here they tend to they bring their failed cultures with them refusing to integrate with the host populations.All of this leads to social strive and tension,the results can be seen across multiple European nations.Stockholm is now the rape capital of Europe http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19592372. It is more a cultural issue then a financial one.
@Al… They generally leave because of these ‘primitive cultural’ practices, and do not want to bring them with them. Their faith is different, and bears no threat.
If you do not believe faith and culture are heavily intertwined,than you are highly delusional.
‘Their faith is different, and bears no threat’ Tell that to the victims of 7/7,Madrid bombings,French Jewish schoolchildren,Lee Rigby etc,etc.
Not My Problem!
A fleet of planes is what is needed on standby across Southern Europe,ready to immediately transport all migrants who arrive by boat back to their countries of origin.It sounds harsh but how long can this go on for?Most of Europe is bankrupt and there already 500 million people crammed into a landmass less than half the size of the continental United States.
These refugees have an awful life, having to leave your home is bad enough but doing so on dangerous boats just to end up in camps for a few years just makes their lives so much harder.
Why send the Navy if Force is Not being Used! Might as well send the rnli. GET SOME MINES OUT THERE TO SORT OUT THE PROBLEM.
The refugees should get advice from nigeria as there refugees made it over to ireland without any direct flights
Such a tragic loss of life, Europe should just build a huge suspension bridge between Gib and Ceuta and put a green light on it.
have your say