Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has issued a warning of "extraordinary measures" to combat the influx of illegal immigrants on the Sicilian island of Lampedusa.
Over the past few days, the island has been overwhelmed by thousands of migrants, prompting Meloni to call on other European nations to assist in stopping departures from Africa and deporting those who have been denied asylum.
Lampedusa, located between Malta and North Africa, has a population of only 6,000 residents and a migrant center designed to accommodate a maximum of 400 people. However, within a three-day period, the island was flooded with over 8,500 illegal immigrants, with reports suggesting the number has now exceeded 11,000. Many of the migrants are military-age men.
The migrants departed from North Africa, specifically Tunisia, and made their way to Italy on over 120 rickety iron boats. The surge in arrivals is believed to be a result of a bottleneck in Tunisia's ports caused by rough seas, which disrupted the planned intervals of human traffickers launching their boats.
Filippo Mannino, the mayor of Lampedusa, has emphasized that the island is in crisis and has reached a tipping point. Locals have protested against plans to build a tent city on the island, expressing their concerns about the strain on resources and the impact on their own lives. One resident, Girgia Pirotta, stated, "We can't live like this anymore. These people deserve respect, and so do we."
The living conditions on the island have also been criticized by migrants themselves. Claudine Nsoe, a migrant from Cameroon, complained about the quality of food and the lack of shelter. Some migrants reportedly broke out of the reception area and blocked roads, demanding to be allowed access to mainland Europe.
The United Nations refugee agency has called on Italy and the rest of Europe to relocate the migrants. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees spokesman Matthew Saltmarsh stated, "It's imperative to move people off the island because the resources there, the capacity is so limited." However, Saltmarsh appeared less concerned about the impact on the native population and more focused on the well-being of the migrants.
Tunisia, the country from which the migrants departed, has not taken significant action to prevent the flow of migrant vessels to European shores. Despite the European Union's financial aid and assistance in search and rescue operations, President Kais Saied has shown little interest in acting as Europe's border guard.
Italian Prime Minister Meloni recently visited Lampedusa with Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission. Meloni emphasized that illegal immigrants pose a threat to the future of Europe and called for a collective effort to address the issue. She stated, "The only way to resolve it is to stop departures."
Von der Leyen indicated that the EU would explore options to expand naval missions in the Mediterranean and crack down on human traffickers. She also emphasized that those not granted asylum would be deported. However, France and Germany have reportedly vowed not to accept migrants who arrive in Italy.
According to Italy's Interior Ministry, approximately 126,000 illegal immigrants have arrived in Italy this year, almost double the number from last year. This influx of migrants has been described as a symbol of Europe's lack of unity and distraction in dealing with the issue.
Former British politician Nigel Farage warned that the recent events in Lampedusa spell catastrophe for the EU. He called for the immediate deportation of the migrants, stating, "These young men must be sent back, or millions more will come."
The situation in Lampedusa highlights the urgent need for European nations to work together to address the issue of illegal immigration. The burden cannot be solely placed on Italy, and a comprehensive approach is necessary to ensure the security and well-being of both the migrants and the native populations.
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