Some 8,400 migrants, asylum-seekers reach Italy and Malta by sea in first half of 2013
Most arrived in Italy and Malta, departing from North Africa, principally Libya. The rest crossed from Greece and Turkey, landing in southern Italy.
ROME, Italy, July 5 (UNHCR) - The UN refugee agency said on Friday that an estimated 8,400 migrants and asylum-seekers landed on the coasts of Italy and Malta in the first six months of this year. The majority arrived in Italy (7,800), while Malta received around 600 migrants and asylum-seekers.
"Those making this journey mostly departed from North Africa, principally Libya - around 6,700 people. The remaining 1,700 crossed from Greece and Turkey, landing in southern Italy's Apulia and Calabria regions," a UNHCR spokesman said.
The high seas crossing is very dangerous and every year people die in the attempt. Pope Francis will visit the Italian island of Lampedusa on Monday to pay tribute to these people and will throw a wreath into the sea.
Countries in sub-Saharan Africa are the main places of origin of these migrants and asylum-seekers, particularly Somalia and Eritrea. Other countries of origin include Egypt, Pakistan and Syria. Nationals of Gambia, Mali and Afghanistan also make these crossings, but in smaller numbers.
The Mediterranean has some of the busiest sea crossings in the world and is also a dangerous frontier for migrants and asylum-seekers en route to southern Europe.
"In view of the perils, UNHCR again calls on all vessels at sea to be on alert for migrants and refugees in need of rescue," spokesman Adrian Edwards said. "We also renew our call to all shipmasters in the Mediterranean to remain vigilant and to carry out their duty of rescuing vessels in distress," he added.
International and European law also requires states to ensure that people intercepted or rescued at sea who seek asylum, can gain access to territory and to an asylum procedure where their international protection needs or claims can be examined.
The peak crossing period for migrants and asylum-seekers runs from May to September. At this time of year, when there is an increase in the number of people trying to make the perilous high seas journey, it is essential to ensure that the long-established tradition of rescue at sea is upheld by all and that international maritime law is adhered to.
For 2012 as a whole, some 15,000 migrants and asylum-seekers reached Italy and Malta (13,200 and 1,800 respectively) by sea. The number arriving in the first six months of 2012 was 4,500 (3,500 in Italy and 1,000 in Malta).
Some 40 people have died trying to make the crossing from Tunisia to Italy during the first six months of 2013, by UNHCR count. In 2012, almost 500 people were reported dead or missing at sea. The decrease in deaths so far in 2013 is thanks in part to the efforts of the Italian and Maltese authorities in effectively coordinating rescue at sea.
UNHCR also welcomes the efforts by the authorities in Italy, Malta and Libya to rescue boats in distress in the Mediterranean, and calls on all states to continue to fulfill their obligations under international refugee law and maritime law.
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Update No.24 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
10 May 2011 ... ... Five boats arrived last weekend on Lampedusa, carrying close to 2,400 people. Most are sub-Saharan ... Italian coastguard and maritime police, with one boat running aground close to the Lampedusa shore. ...... -
Update No.26 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
27 May 2011 ... ... there remain 986 people in the reception center in Lampedusa and there are reports that tensions in the reception center are rising due to the prolonged detention of Tunisian migrants in Lampedusa. ...... -
UNHCR - Statement on boat incident off Greece coast
21 Jan 2014 ... More than 360 people died on October 3rd 2013 in a capsizing off of Italy's Lampedusa. Several other deadly incidents were reported over the following weeks. Irregular boat crossings of the ...... -
Danger on the deep blue sea
10 Dec 2014 ... He fled the war at home with his brother and paid US$ 2,000 to board an overcrowded boat to Italy. But the vessel capsized just off the island of Lampedusa, one of two shipwrecks last October in which ...... -
Update No.21 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
26 Apr 2011 ... ... facilities throughout Italy, only 18 Tunisians and 9 non-Tunisians currently remain at Lampedusa. ... Lampedusa L ampedusa L ampedusa L ampedusa L ampedusa L ampedusa L ampedusa Lampedusa L ampedusa L ...... -
UNHCR Global Appeal 2007 - Western Europe Regional Overview
1 Dec 2006 ... Boatloads continued to arrive in Italy (most notably in Lampedusa), Malta and Greece. Given the ... European shores, like this group intercepted by the Italian Coast Guard off the coast of Lampedusa. ...... -
UNHCR Global Report 2006 - Europe Overview
1 Jun 2007 ... ... arriving by sea on the Italian island of Lampedusa, Malta and the Canary Islands, among whom was ... approaches as done on the Italian island of Lampedusa, support for strengthening of reception ...... -
Year of return and partnerships, but challenges remain, says Lubbers
8 Oct 2004 ... The issue is currently in the spotlight with the deportation of new arrivals on Italy's Lampedusa island to Libya. "Finally, we have access to Lampedusa but let's be honest: it's a bit too late," said ...... -
Update No.18 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
12 Apr 2011 ... ... The remaining number of people currently remaining in Lampedusa is 1,568, mainly Tunisians. ... C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C Lampedusa L ......