Nearly 700 migrants arrived on the Italian island of Lampedusa in the Mediterranean Sea overnight, as reported by the Italian news agency ANSA on Thursday morning. A total of 14 landings were registered, with the boats either reaching the port unassisted or the individuals being rescued at sea near the island.
Wednesday saw the arrival of over 1,200 people, bringing the total number of migrants who have reached Lampedusa since Wednesday to almost 2,000.
According to ANSA, ten of the 14 boats departed from the Tunisian coastal town of Sfax, while another boat set off from Kerkenna, also in Tunisia. Three additional boats originated from Libya.
Upon arrival, the migrants were taken to a reception camp on the Italian island. However, the camp, which has a capacity for approximately 400 people, is now overcrowded.
Lampedusa, situated between Sicily and North Africa, is a common destination for migrants attempting to reach Europe, including Malta, Sicily, or the Italian mainland, by boat from Tunisia and Libya via the central Mediterranean route.
The Italian Ministry of the Interior has recorded over 61,200 people who have arrived in Italy by boat this year, a significant increase compared to approximately 27,300 during the same period last year.
These perilous journeys across the Mediterranean Sea often result in tragic boat accidents. Just two weeks ago, hundreds of migrants attempting to cross from Libya to Italy drowned off the coast of Greece. The ongoing influx of migrants highlights the challenges faced by Italy and other Mediterranean countries in managing the migration crisis and ensuring the safety and well-being of those seeking refuge.
