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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The 10-Point Plan in action: Chapter 4, Reception arrangements
15 Nov 2012 ... to Handle Migrants Reaching the Island of Lampedusa (“Praesidium Project”) 113 Malta: ... ITALY: STRENGTHENING RECEPTION CAPACITY TO HANDLE MIGRANTS REACHING THE ISLAND OF LAMPEDUSA ...... -
Update: Major tragedy in the Mediterranean confirmed, 300 migrants and refugees are missing
11 Feb 2015 ... Reports gathered by UNHCR from the Italian Coast Guard and the survivors in Lampedusa now suggest ... More than 80 survivors have landed in Lampedusa, after being rescued by Italian coastguards and a ...... -
Mediterranean smugglers cram burn victims onto boat, one dead
17 Apr 2015 ... Earlier this morning, at around 1am, an Italian naval vessel docked in Lampedusa carrying 70 people - mainly refugees - rescued from a deflated dinghy and in a state of severe shock. Among them was ...... -
Expert Meeting on Refugee and Asylum Seekers in Distress at Sea, Djibouti, 8-10 November 2011: Presentation by the Italian Central Directorate of Immigration and Border Police
Nov 2011 ... Police & Carabinieri Principal Principal Flows Flows towards towards Italy Italy TUNISIA LAMPEDUSA ... YEARS LANDINGS MEN WOMEN MINOR TOTAL 2009 39 391 1 7 399 * Up to 5 November **Landing in Lampedusa ...... -
3.4.2 Meeting of State Representatives on Rescue at Sea and Maritime Interception in the Mediterranean, Madrid, 23-24 May 2006, Background Discussion Paper (10-Point Plan Expert Roundtable No.1: Controlling Borders while Ensuring Protection)
21 Nov 2008 ... Tunisia, via Malta or the small island of Lampedusa to Sicily or the mainland of Italy; and from ... from Libya to the islands of Malta and Lampedusa (Italy), and from the coasts of Morocco and ...... -
Italy, Malta receive first boats from Libya, stretching asylum capacity
29 Mar 2011 ... from the first boat disembarked on the tiny island of Linosa, some 50 km north-east of Lampedusa. ... Two further boats arrived early this morning, one in Sicily and the other in Lampedusa. A woman gave ...... -
Italy: Twin Brothers' Ordeal
15 Apr 2015 ... The latest incident involves the capsizing of a double-deck boat on Monday in waters about 120 kilometres south of Italy's Lampedusa Island. So far, 142 people have been rescued and eight bodies ...... -
On a high seas rescue mission with the Italian Navy
21 Mar 2014 ... one-way trip towards an Italian speck of an island called Lampedusa - the first landfall in Europe. ... thousands of asylum-seekers have perished in the 190-mile stretch between Tripoli and Lampedusa. ...... -
Some 2,000 people flee from Tripoli by boat to Italy and Malta
29 Mar 2011 ... island of Linosa, some 50 kilometres north-east of Italy's southernmost territory, Lampedusa Island. ... Two further boats arrived early this morning, one in Sicily and the other in Lampedusa. A woman gave ......