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.
Related news and stories
First UNITY Cup shows the power of football to connect refugees and hosts
Scholarships in Italy allow refugees to dream again
Relief for asylum seekers offered a new life outside Libya
Evacuation flights from Libya to Italy bring hope for vulnerable asylum seekers
UNHCR and Council of Europe discuss statelessness, urge States to uphold the right to a nationality in Europe
UNHCR warns of mounting refugee and migrant deaths in the Central Mediterranean
Your search for « lampedusa » matched 340 results. Displaying page 8 of 38 pages.
-
Italy: Haunted by a Sinking Ship
24 Jul 2014 ... Thamer & Thayer, brothers from Syria, escaped war, then unrest in Libya only to be faced with death on the Mediterranean The Lampedusa boat tragedies sparked a debate on asylum policies in Europe, ...... -
UNHCR deeply concerned over returns from Italy to Libya
7 May 2009 ... The rescue took place about 35 nautical miles south-east of the Italian island of Lampedusa, but ... Although closer to Lampedusa, the vessels were in the Maltese search and rescue area of ...... -
UNHCR interviews asylum seekers pushed back to Libya
14 Jul 2009 ... UNHCR staff in Libya have been carrying out interviews with 82 people who were intercepted by the Italian Navy on the high seas on July 1 about 30 nautical miles from the Italian island of Lampedusa. ...... -
News comment by Volker Türk, UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, on new Mediterranean shipwreck
29 Mar 2017 ... UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is deeply saddened at the news of another shipwreck in the Mediterranean, which may have left up to 146 people dead or missing. This morning in Lampedusa, our team ...... -
Selected Distress at Sea Incidents involving Refugees and Migrants in 2011
Dec 2011 ... ... Missing/ Dead 27.03.2011 Libya Italy 70 nautical miles from Lampedusa, Italy 250-350 Tunisia, ... None 06.04.2011 Zuwarah, Libya Italy Approx 40 miles off Lampedusa, Italy, in Maltese waters Over ...... -
UNHCR Chief expresses shock at new Mediterranean boat tragedy
12 Oct 2013 ... The rescue took place 60 miles south east of Lampedusa, in Maltese waters. "This is the third boat ... other with 83, were rescued last night off Lampedusa. 785 people are being hosted on the island, ...... -
First group of asylum seekers relocated from Italy to Sweden
9 Oct 2015 ... The asylum seekers who arrived in Sicily by boat over the last few weeks were registered in Lampedusa and accepted to take part in the relocation scheme that will allow them to be relocated to other ...... -
Haunted by a sinking ship
24 Jul 2014 ... Nobody guaranteed they would make it to Europe alive. Now, off the coast of Italy's Lampedusa ... and Thayer are haunted by the deadly shipwreck they survived off the coast of Lampedusa, Italy. ...... -
Update on UNHCR's Operations in Europe, Executive Committee 2006
25 Sep 2006 ... island of Lampedusa, Malta, the Canary Islands, and the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. ... for Migration (IOM), UNHCR and the Italian Red Cross to monitor and support arrivals in Lampedusa. ......