Rescue of Over 5,600 Migrants in Italian Waters in Three Days

A spokesperson for the Italian Coast Guard reported that in just the last three days, 5,629 migrants have been rescued from boats heading to the shores of Italy. According to Reuters, this number of migrants was rescued from 22 different boats between April 10 and 12. The spokesperson stated on Monday, April 24, that in one incident in Libyan waters, the capsizing of a boat resulted in the deaths of at least 9 passengers, while 144 others were rescued. The Associated Press also reports that among the rescued individuals transferred to the shores of Italy on Saturday and Sunday, there are 136 children, 99 of whom are unaccompanied. Many of the migrants who have recently set sail towards Italy are from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Gambia, Mali, and Ivory Coast. Reports indicate that approximately 3,500 migrants drowned in the Mediterranean Sea last year, while 170,000 migrants successfully reached Italian soil by sea during the same year. As these boats approach the shores of Italy, traffickers often abandon the vessels and send distress messages for the Coast Guard to assist the passengers. Rescued migrants are usually brought to the island of Sicily, but in recent days, with improving weather conditions and more boats departing from African shores, the number of rescued individuals has increased to the extent that shelters have been arranged for them in two regions of Calabria and Puglia in Italy. Most of these rescued individuals apply for asylum in Italy.