The number of migrants arriving on
Italian coasts by boat in first two months of this year was 43%
greater than arrivals during the same time last year, interior
ministry figures showed Tuesday.
With the arrival of 7,882 people sailing on flimsy boats
and rafts - and hundreds of others drowning en route - officials
say Italy is already on track to set another record in terms of
migrant landings.
Most have been coming from Libya, where civil war has
reduced security and border controls and cleared the way for
human traffickers preying on refugees fleeing war in other parts
of Africa and the Middle East.
The crossing is dangerous and last month, some 300 migrants
died in one group that was fleeing for Europe with southern
Italy the first point of landing.
The ministry said that some 67,128 immigrants are at
present staying in Italian migrant reception facilities.
Most are in Sicily, with almost 14,000 people, while Lazio
had 13% of the total, and Lombardy and Puglia have 9% each.
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