The activity in the Central Mediterranean, which is the most frequently used irregular migration route in the world, continues to increase in the summer months.
In the news of the Italian ANSA agency, it was stated that more than 4,000 irregular migrants arrived in the country in the last 48 hours, including those who arrived by their own means, those rescued by non-governmental organization ships and Italian security forces.
Yesterday, 565 immigrants arrived on 15 boats
It was recorded that 565 immigrants arrived on Lampedusa Island, which is the closest land part of Italy to Africa, on 15 boats only yesterday.
It has been stated that there are currently around 3,000 irregular migrants in the immigration center with a capacity of 400 people on Lampedusa Island, migrants are moved to the mainland at intervals, and 1400 people have been evacuated recently.
In the meantime, it was stated that Minister of Interior Matteo Piantedosi and Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio started work to accelerate the return of immigrants whose asylum requests were not accepted.
According to the data of the Ministry of Interior, the number of irregular migrants arriving by sea from 1 January to 30 June 2023 was 64,930. In the same period last year, this number was 27 thousand 633.
It was recorded that the increase in the number of irregular immigrants coming to the country reached 135 percent.
Irregular migration problem in the Central Mediterranean
In the irregular migration influx to Europe, the Central Mediterranean route stands out as one of the routes where intense mobility has been observed in recent years.
On this route, European non-governmental organizations usually rescue irregular migrants who call for help at sea, rather than European government officials. These NGOs have difficulties in evacuating the irregular migrants they rescue from time to time due to the EU member states’ failure to provide a “safe haven”.
The first place where immigrants who can cross the Mediterranean or are rescued by their own means set foot in Europe is Lampedusa Island, which is the closest land part of Italy to North Africa.
A large number of irregular migrants die each year while trying to cross the Mediterranean, due to the boat capsizing or the lack of air and water due to overcrowding on the boats.