00:43Italy: Migrants come ashore to Sicily state of emergency
Italy: Migrants come ashore to Sicily state of emergency
Around 80 migrants adrift on a raft in the waters between Sicily and Libya were rescued Tuesday, as Sicily's regional parliament declared a state of emergency that will allow it to tap additional funds to help with the immigration crisis.
The migrants, who were from Bangladesh, Nepal and Nigeria and included four pregnant women, were transported to Sicily. Elsewhere, an Italian naval frigate and a patrol boat brought about 210 people from Syria, Somalia and Eritrea to the southern island of Lampedusa after two migrant vessels used satellite phones to dial for help late Monday.
Italy has stepped up its patrols in the Mediterranean following a number of recent incidents involving the deaths of migrants attempting to reach Europe by boat, using ships, helicopters and unmanned drones to survey the area. According to the International Organisation for Migration, more than 20,000 migrants have died making the crossing in the past 20 years.
00:43Italy: Migrants come ashore to Sicily state of emergency
Around 80 migrants adrift on a raft in the waters between Sicily and Libya were rescued Tuesday, as Sicily's regional parliament declared a state of emergency that will allow it to tap additional funds to help with the immigration crisis.
The migrants, who were from Bangladesh, Nepal and Nigeria and included four pregnant women, were transported to Sicily. Elsewhere, an Italian naval frigate and a patrol boat brought about 210 people from Syria, Somalia and Eritrea to the southern island of Lampedusa after two migrant vessels used satellite phones to dial for help late Monday.
Italy has stepped up its patrols in the Mediterranean following a number of recent incidents involving the deaths of migrants attempting to reach Europe by boat, using ships, helicopters and unmanned drones to survey the area. According to the International Organisation for Migration, more than 20,000 migrants have died making the crossing in the past 20 years.