The camp actually only offers space for a maximum of 350 people. Almost 2000 people are currently staying there. The mayor speaks up.
Lampedusa – About two weeks ago, the camp for refugees on the Italian island of Lampedusa was cleared. Now it is clearly overcrowded again. According to the Italian news agency Ansa , there are almost 2,000 people there – the camp actually has space for a maximum of 350 people.
Three boats arrived at night and in the morning with migrants fleeing from Syria, Egypt, Sudan and various West African countries. Two of the boats had left Tunisia and one in Libya. The Turin daily La Stampa also reported that people should not be allowed to go to the regions where tourists are staying.
Camp for refugees on Lampedusa is overcrowded: “The island is standing”
Lampedusa erected new watchtowers for this – soldiers are also deployed. “The island is holding up. It’s a problem that fortunately tourists don’t notice,” said Mayor Filippo Mannino. According to the newspaper report, they have other problems: Because ATMs and card payment systems didn’t work, some traveled to Palermo on a day trip to withdraw cash.
By the second weekend in July, the authorities had already begun clearing the camp and the Navy brought more than 1,000 people to Sicily. Reports about the conditions in the reception center had caused outrage.
Overcrowded camp: Lampedusa’s ex-mayor posts photo on Facebook
Giusi Nicolini, former mayor of Lampedusa, posted pictures and a video from the camp on Facebook. “Women, children, the sick and those in need of care sleep on the floor where they also eat, among the rubbish. These images could come from Libya. But no, this is Italy,” wrote Nicolini.
The rescue ship “Geo Barents” rescued 89 people on Tuesday night, the aid organization “Doctors Without Borders” reported. The rescue organization Sea Watch was also able to take 400 refugees on its rescue ship. However, hundreds of people are waiting to be allowed to go ashore.
The Mediterranean is the most dangerous escape route in the world
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Mediterranean Sea is the most dangerous escape route in the world. According to estimates, 900 people have died or disappeared on the crossing since the beginning of the year. (mse / dpa / epd)
