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.30 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
22 Jun 2011 ... ... visited Lampedusa on 19 June and remembered those who have lost their lives trying to reach the Italian island by sea from Africa. They also saw reception facilities on Lampedusa and met with ...... -
Bitter-sweet family reunion in Sicily for Mediterranean capsize survivors
13 Nov 2013 ... The 13 Syrian refugees in the town hall of Sant'Angelo Muxaro were passengers on a Europe-bound smuggler's boat that capsized on October 11 some 95 kilometres from Lampedusa Island, the southernmost ...... -
UNHCR urges beefed up search and rescue capacity as at least 29 die off Italy
10 Feb 2015 ... At least 29 people lost their lives Monday in the latest Mediterranean tragedy off Italy's Lampedusa Island, UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards told journalists in Geneva. "UNHCR is both deeply ...... -
Sicilian trawler and UNHCR help in rescue of 27 Somalians
10 Jun 2008 ... Gaspare Marrone and his crew were fishing for tuna south of Italy's Lampedusa Island when they spotted a boat in distress carrying 30 Somalis. The Sicilians started bringing the boat people on board, ...... -
Angelina Jolie and UNHCR chief Guterres shocked at Mediterranean high seas tragedy
6 Apr 2011 ... According to survivors, the group, including Somalis, Eritreans and Ivorians, set off from Libya three days ago in an attempt to reach the Italian island of Lampedusa in the Mediterranean. They told ...... -
UNHCR saddened at high seas accidents as Mediterranean claims more victims
13 May 2014 ... that at least 17 people drowned after a boat sank on Monday in international waters, some 160 kilometres south of the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa and around 80 km north-west of Tripoli, Libya. ...... -
UNHCR calls on Europe to allow SeaWatch passengers ashore
20 Jun 2019 ... Ten refugees and migrants were previously evacuated to Lampedusa last weekend on medical grounds. “Europe played an intrinsic role in creating the legal architecture that underpins modern day ...... -
The 10-Point Plan in action: Chapter 4/Annex 4.5. MSF - Abstract Over the Wall
15 Nov 2012 ... asylum applicants, already assisted on the Lampedusa quayside, in the rural areas of southern ... for initial support and reception) of Lampedusa despite authorisation by the Ministry of the ...... -
UNHCR Global Report 2013 - Europe regional summary
1 Jun 2014 ... intake. • The tragedy in October at Lampedusa, where hundreds of lives were lost at sea, ... pressure on coastal countries in 2013, especially in the aftermath of the tragedy in Lampedusa. ......