Immigration to Italy from the near sea has spiked as Mediterranean routes see another wave of arrivals. In the last day, more than 2,000 migrants landed, with Lampedusa in the extreme south positioned just a short straight line from Tunisia. Data from the Italian Ministry of Interior show the largest wave of arrivals yet this year, bringing the total number of migrants arriving through the central Mediterranean since March to over 20,000. This year’s intake already surpasses the total for 2022, which was around 6,500, reflecting a notable acceleration in crossings and displacement movements across these sea lanes.
The surge overwhelmed the Lampedusa reception hub. On Saturday morning the center, built to house far fewer people, was accommodating well over 1,800 individuals against a capacity of barely 400. Rescue operations by humanitarian boats and Italian authorities, including the Coast Guard, Guardia di Finanza and Carabinieri, have repeatedly brought people to safety, adding to the strain on local resources and facilities.
A portion of the arrivals reached the island directly and autonomously at times, not necessarily through a coordinated rescue at sea. In addition, roughly 550 migrants were reported to have landed in southern Calabria in the last hours, while other reports mention unspecified numbers of people who died in a shipwreck off Malta. Preliminary information suggests a significant influx may also be entering Tunisia in the regional corridor, complicating humanitarian and security responses in the area.
Libya threats
The situation at sea continues to involve ongoing rescue operations. The emergency ship Life Support reported rescuing 83 more people who had endured long periods at sea under extreme conditions. A representative from Life Support, Alberto Radaelli, described survivors as having spent days on the water with limited food and water while staying in crouched positions, underscoring the harsh realities faced by those rescued.
Meanwhile the Ocean Viking, another rescue vessel operating in the central Mediterranean, reported being harassed by Libyan coast guard authorities as it navigated international waters. The NGO crew described the incident in which a rubber boat in distress prompted a quick response, but threats from Libyan authorities in the area influenced the vessel to move away from the incident zone. This sequence illustrates the ongoing tension and risk for search and rescue collaborations in the region, where humanitarian missions must navigate legal and political pressures while prioritizing civilian safety.