Security
Italy: Hundreds of immigrants land on the Italian coast
Palermo, 27 Feb. (AKI) - Close to 300 would-be immigrants landed on the Italian island of Lampedusa in two vessels in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The first group of 33 people were found on a rubber dinghy and were intercepted by the Italian coast guard a few miles off Cala Croce in Lampedusa. The second vessel was carrying a group of 231 would-be migrants, including 27 women and one child, .
Thousands of illegal immigrants from Africa land each year on the island of Lampedusa off the Sicilian coast which is a favourite destination for immigrants making the perilous crossing from North Africa to Europe.
The numbers of landings usually increase during the warmer months of the year between March and October.
Italy has the European Union's longest coastline - 4,500 kilometres - making it difficult to police and thus a preferred destination for migrants.
The first group of 33 people were found on a rubber dinghy and were intercepted by the Italian coast guard a few miles off Cala Croce in Lampedusa. The second vessel was carrying a group of 231 would-be migrants, including 27 women and one child, .
Thousands of illegal immigrants from Africa land each year on the island of Lampedusa off the Sicilian coast which is a favourite destination for immigrants making the perilous crossing from North Africa to Europe.
The numbers of landings usually increase during the warmer months of the year between March and October.
Italy has the European Union's longest coastline - 4,500 kilometres - making it difficult to police and thus a preferred destination for migrants.
Bookmark whit:
