Tensions were rising Thursday
in the port city of Cagliari as migrants continued to protest
delays in paperwork and demanded they be allowed to leave
Sardinia.
One man was pushed into the sea and had to be fished out by
other migrants during a confrontation with police after a group
of about 150 spent the night outside city hall.
Several others began a hunger strike and were being checked
by doctors.
Protesters, including a large number of Eritreans, for
several days have been calling for the right to leave the island
so they can join friends and relatives in other parts of Italy.
Groups have gathered at the port demanding faster action on
their paperwork that would allow them to move on from migrant
reception centres on Sardinia.
Meanwhile, police in Sicily said they have detained four
suspected human smugglers including two that arrived on
Wednesday in Pozzallo along with a group of 202 migrants rescued
by the ship Phoenix.
One was identified as Diallo Amar, 33, of Gambia.
Two other alleged smugglers were detained in Augusta where
a rescue vessel brought 491 migrants.
Police identified the two as a 28-year-old from Gambia and
an 21-year old Tunisian.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
