Brussels, 05/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - During the first 30 days of 2014, the number of migrants arriving on the Italian coast stood at 2,156, as opposed to 217 in January 2013. This ten-fold increase reflected “the incessant and massive influx of migrants” since last summer, said Italian Deputy Home Secretary Filippo Bubico on Tuesday 4 February. In 2013, there were 2,925 vessels of one sort or another, carrying 42,925 people, including 3818 children, reached the Italian coastline, 325% more than in 2012. The majority of migrants arrived in Sicily and 14,753 arrived on the island of Lampedusa alone. According to AFP, Bubico, addressing a hearing at the migrations committee at the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, said that, “in 2013, Italy was subject to a massive and incessant influx of migrants from the Maghreb and Middle East”.
The refugees' main country of departure is Libya, followed by Egypt and Turkey. According to statements made by the refugees when they arrive, however, their main country of origin is Syria. (SP/transl.fl)