Italy's Lampedusa Island welcomes over 1,200 irregular migrants in 24 hours

By Baris Seckin

ROME (AA) — More than 1,200 irregular migrants arrived on Italy's Lampedusa Island over the last 24 hours, local media reported Wednesday.

The current number of irregular migrants at the waiting center on the island has reached 1,430, and they are expected to be sent to other regions of the country, broadcaster Rainews24 said.

The migrants will be transferred to other Italian cities by boats by the Interior Ministry.

The ministry's statistics noted that the country welcomed 147,239 irregular migrants since Jan. 1. The number was 92,881 last year.

Lampedusa is the first land that around 70% of the seaborne migrants step on in Europe.

The island sees migration flows from time to time, the latest one being between Sep. 11-17, with around 11,000 irregular migrants.

Local authorities declared a state of emergency and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited the island to announce a plan to support Italy.

The Mediterranean Sea is an important route for irregular migration to Europe.

Migrants' boats in distress seeking help are usually rescued by European non-governmental organizations instead of European authorities.

Irregular migrants who reach Europe usually first land on Lampedusa, the Italian territory close to North Africa.