Lampedusa, an eight-square-mile island in the Mediterranean Sea, is the southernmost part of Italy. It lies closer to Tunisia on the African continent–about 70 miles–than to Sicily, which is about 127 miles to the north. As such, it is a favorite landing place for African migrants wanting to get to Europe.
During just a single 24-hour period this week, the island saw at least 20 separate landings by a total of 2,128 illegal migrants from a variety of countries. This nonstop arrival on Italian shores has created a crisis made worse by the need to combat the Wuhan virus. It prompted the acting governor of the Italian region of Calabria, which includes Lampedusa, to issue an urgent call to the central government to take action.
“The uncontrolled landings of migrants frustrate the efforts of the southern regions in combating the pandemic,” wrote Antonino Spirlì. “With millions of Italians facing difficulties, we cannot care for thousands of illegal migrants. Prime Minister Draghi and [Interior] Minister Lamorgese must intervene swiftly, before it’s too late.”
At least 11,000 migrants have landed on Italy’s coasts so far this year, up from 4,105 in the same period last year. At first, they typically are held in quarantine facilities, either on available ships or in camps in Sicily and the mainland. Afterwards, some may ultimately be deported, but the majority will settle in Italy or make their way eventually throughout Europe.
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