Roma-Sana
The Italian authorities announced today the rescue of more than 500 illegal immigrants aboard five boats off the coast of the Italian island of Lampedusa in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Italian News Agency (ANSA) reported that the authorities intercepted one of the boats with 325 people on board, eight miles off the coast of the island of Lampedusa, adding that an Italian police patrol ship escorted a second boat carrying 90 migrants to the island.
It added that two other boats, carrying 98 and 16 people, arrived on the island at a later time.
Lampedusa, Mayor of Lampedusa, told the State Radio and Television Corporation (RAI) that "the arrival of migrants is renewed with the improvement of the weather," calling for "resumption of discussions on the issue of immigration."
The Mediterranean is witnessing continuous attempts by hundreds of illegal immigrants to reach Europe via Italy, Spain and elsewhere, where more than 1,200 migrants were killed in 2020 at sea.