Minister says up to 600,000 migrants ready to cross Med
Alfano vows to make Europe 'defend its border'
03 April, 17:06
(ANSA) - Palermo, April 3 - Interior Minister Angelino
Alfano told a convention in Palermo Thursday that the Italian
government had information that "there are between 300,000 and
600,000 people in North Africa waiting to cross the
Mediterranean".
Tens of thousands of migrants arrive in Italy from North
Africa every year and many others die attempting the crossing in
often rickety vessels.In October around 400 people died in two separate migrant-boat disasters near to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, which is often the migrants' first port of call.
"We'll fight to ensure that Europe defends its border," added Alfano. Italy has complained that it has not received enough support from the European Union to cope with the arrival of migrants.
