(ANSA) Crotone, September 29 - A freighter carrying 500 illegal immigrants arrived at this southern port Monday after being intercepted by Italian authorities, maritime officials said.
The merchant ship, towed by a tug and escorted by coast guard vessels, docked at the port of Crotone and began disgorging its human cargo.
Hospital workers, civil protection staff and volunteers were on hand to help the migrants as well as police.
Freighter carrying 500 migrants docks at Crotone
Merchant vessel intercepted by authorities off Calabrian coast