- Title: ITALY: Hundreds of north African illegal immigrants land in southern Italy
- Date: 11th February 2011
- Summary: LINOSA, ITALY (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (QUALITY AUDIO/VIDEO AS INCOMING) (FEBRUARY 9, 2011) (REUTERS) ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS GATHERED AT FOOTBALL PITCH IMMIGRANTS SEEN BEHIND THE GOAL CARABINIERI POLICEMAN TELLING IMMIGRANTS TO LEAVE FOOTBALL PITCH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS STANDING IN FRONT OF FERRY IMMIGRANTS BEING BOARDED ON FERRY PORTO EMPEDOCLE, SICILY, ITALY (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (FE
- Embargoed: 26th February 2011 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Italy, Italy
- Country: Italy
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVAAAG1260E9OZQ21ZLEYUTEW6AF
- Story Text: Hundreds of northern African illegal immigrants, believed to be mainly from Tunisia, have begun arriving by boat in southern Italy.
Over three hundred illegal immigrants have arrived by boat in southern Italy over the last few days, with many believed to have started their journey in Tunisia.
The influx of north African immigrants into Italy is thought to have begun following the violent street protests which started in Tunisia almost a month ago.
Boats have been intercepted by Italian coastguard officials near the southern Italian islands of Linosa and Lampedusa, which lie approximately 120 kilometres away from the Tunisian coastline.
Currently the detention centre on Lampedusa is closed after reports of over-crowding and inhumane conditions from illegal immigrants held in the structure.
Italian police and coastguard services are moving the immigrants intercepted in boats to holding centres near Agrigento in Sicily.
Over seventy men of Northern African origin were rounded up and held on a football pitch on the island of Linosa, as a ferry was organised to carry them to the detention centre in Agrigento.
Tunisian newspaper 'La Presse' has reported twelve boats have left the Tunisian port of Zarzis carrying some 1,000 people on route to Italy. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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