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 10 of 38 pages.
-
Update No.10 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
17 Mar 2011 ... ... ITALY Arrivals to Lampedusa: A total of 109 Tunisians arrived in Lampedusa on 16 March, bringing the total number of arrivals since mid-January to 10,575. Currently 2,819 persons are hosted in two ...... -
Update No.17 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
7 Apr 2011 ... ... 14 miles off Lampedusa on 6 April. According to survivors, the group, including Somalis, Eritreans and Ivorians, departed Libya three days ago in an attempt to reach the Italian island of Lampedusa. ...... -
Boat carrying 600 sinks off Tripoli, five boats rescued by Italian coastguard
10 May 2011 ... arrivals across the Mediterranean: Five boats arrived on Lampedusa, carrying close to 2,400 people. ... Italian coastguard and maritime police, with one boat running aground close to the Lampedusa shore. ...... -
UNHCR dismayed at rising deaths from boat accidents in Mediterranean
13 May 2014 ... Yesterday, at least 17 people drowned after a boat sank in international waters, some 160 km south of Lampedusa, Italy and around 80 km north-west of Tripoli, Libya. The dead include 12 women, three ...... -
UNHCR - New Mediterranean boat tragedy may be biggest ever, urgent action is needed now
19 Apr 2015 ... It follows an incident only last week in which 400 lives were lost. The Lampedusa disaster of ... before midnight on Saturday, in Libyan waters, some 180 kilometers south of Italy's Lampedusa. ...... -
Mediterranean Drownings: The High Commissioner's Comments
15 Apr 2015 ... for urgent action to prevent such tragedies in the future. The latest incident involves the capsizing of a double-deck boat on Monday in waters about 120 kilometers south of Italy's Lampedusa Island.... -
Italy: Missing boat search efforts stepped up
25 May 2007 ... The Italian Navy has committed an Atlantic aircraft to the search, as well as seven Coast Guard patrol boats which left the southerly island of Lampedusa and southern Sicily on Thursday. The ...... -
EU Relocation Programme starts: 19 asylum-seekers leave Italy to Sweden
9 Oct 2015 ... They had arrived by boat in Sicily over the last few weeks and were all screened in the Lampedusa reception centre, where they agreed to be relocated to Sweden. The departure of the group officially ...... -
Update No.9 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
16 Mar 2011 ... ... ITALY Arrivals to Lampedusa: On 14-15 March, 1,837 persons mainly Tunisian men (12 Tunisian women, one with child) and 3 Algerian arrived through 24 landings to Lampedusa. Total arrivals to Lampedusa ......