The Coastguard has rescued 35 boats that set off from Tunisia last weekend, with three of them hitting trouble en route to Europe.
Migrant Numbers Soar on Italian Shores
At least 23,000 migrants have made the perilous journey from Lampedusa island to Sicily or mainland Italy this year. Italy’s far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has cracked down hard on smugglers amid a surge in arrivals. More than 36,600 migrants have landed since January — over four times the figures seen in each of the previous two years, according to Italy’s Interior Ministry.
Most Asylum Requests Rejected
Italy turns down most asylum bids, arguing that many migrants are fleeing poverty rather than war or persecution. This tough stance has sparked controversy across Europe.
Many Migrants Trapped in Legal Limbo
With repatriation agreements signed with only a handful of countries, rejected migrants often linger in limbo. Many then try to push onwards to northern Europe, hoping for better chances of asylum.
