taly begins transfer of illegals from Lampedusa

Migrants arrive on the tiny island of Lampedusa, Italy, on Wednesday. The number of illegal arrivals from North Africa on the island has risen to more than 5,000, equaling the local population and raising fears of a sanitation crisis.



ROME: An Italian ship has arrived at the island of Lampedusa to transfer hundreds of illegal migrants fleeing North Africa to centers elsewhere in Italy.

Some 5,000 people from North Africa are currently staying on this remote Italian island in the Mediterranean, equaling the local population and raising fears of a sanitation crisis.
Officials say that around 500 migrants were boarding the Italian navy ship San Marco Wednesday for transfer to Sicily.
Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa said that sites have been identified throughout Italy to accommodate the growing number of migrants while their status is determined. Italy has appealed to the European Union for help.
Since the start of the year, almost 15,000 immigrants, mostly Tunisians, arrived on the tiny island with an immigrant center built for just 800.