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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UNHCR Global Strategy Beyond Detention: Progress Report mid-2016
18 Aug 2016 ... Cover Photo: A detention centre for refugees and migrants on Italy’s Lampedusa Island. This centre was closed end of July 2007, and replaced with a new one opened in August. © UNHCR / G. Kotschy / ...... -
UNHCR Global Strategy Beyond Detention: Baseline Report
18 Aug 2016 ... Cover Photo: A detention centre for refugees and migrants on Italy’s Lampedusa Island. This centre ... Lampedusa, Italy .© UNHCR / F. Malavolta / April 2015 34 GLOBAL STRATEGY – Beyond Detention ...... -
UNHCR's Recommendations to Italy for its EU Presidency, July-December 2014
25 Jul 2014 ... the port, observing the arrival of a ship carrying 1,123 people rescued off the coast of Lampedusa. ... off the coast of Lampedusa in October 2013. Since then more than 50,000 lives have been saved. ...... -
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6 Apr 2011 ... and Ivorians, departed Libya three days ago in an attempt to reach the Italian island of Lampedusa. ... In Geneva: Melissa Fleming on mobile +41 79 557 9122 In Lampedusa: Laura Boldrini on mobile +39 33 ...... -
UNHCR shock at latest deaths on Mediterranean, rescue capacity needed more urgently than ever
15 Apr 2015 ... waters about 120 kilometres south of Lampedusa. 142 people have been rescued and 8 bodies recovered. ... established by Italy following the Lampedusa disasters of October 2013 in which hundreds ...... -
UNHCR calls on States to uphold principles of rescue-at-sea and burden sharing
8 Apr 2011 ... morning when their boat capsized some 39 nautical miles south of the Italian island of Lampedusa. ... For media queries, please contact: In Geneva: Andrej Mahecic on mobile +41 79 200 7617 In Lampedusa: ...... -
Some 300 feared dead in fresh Mediterranean tragedy
11 Feb 2015 ... the Italian Coastguard and the survivors in Lampedusa now suggest some 300 people are confirmed ... A total 82 survivors have disembarked at Italy's Lampedusa Island, after being rescued by Italian ...... -
UNHCR Global Appeal 2007 - UNHCR's operations: Europe
1 Dec 2006 ... immigrants landing on the Ital- ian island of Lampedusa, on Malta and on Spain’s Canary Islands. ... to provide a framework for monitoring and assisting the large numbers of arrivals in Lampedusa. ...... -
Update No.8 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
15 Mar 2011 ... ... Some 2,500 Somalis are currently in transit through Sudan to Somalia. ITALY Arrivals to Lampedusa: Since mid-January 2011, 8,811 persons have arrived from Tunisia to Lampedusa. There are currently ......