Italy and Libya pledge support on migration
The Italian interior minister has met with Libyan leaders in Tripoli. Migration was at the top of the agenda as ministers from both countries “reaffirmed the importance of their bilateral relations.”
mediterranean sea
Tunisia: Migration awareness campaign 'Esshih' launched
A campaign called Esshih has been launched in Tunisia to raise awareness among youths and their families about the risks posed by irregular migration and possible alternatives.
Swimming to Melilla: 'Migrants think it's faster but, above all, it's very dangerous'
Moroccan and sub-Saharan African migrants regularly attempt to swim to the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla from neighboring Moroccan ports. But a crossing even a hundred meters from the shore is risky. Four people drowned in March 2021.
Irini mission: One year, no migrant rescues
The EU operation monitoring the arms embargo against Libya, named Irini, is entering its second year. Despite being active in the Mediterranean, it has not rescued any migrants.
Italy: Wiretapped journalists, justice minister orders assessment
A complaint filed by an Italian daily has set off controversy. It said several journalists who worked on migration issues ranging from Libya to NGO activities were illegally wiretapped by the Trapani prosecutor's office starting in 2016. Italian Justice Minister Marta Cartabia has ordered an assessment.
'What has happened?': About 110 people potentially unaccounted for in the Mediterranean
On April 3, Alarm Phone reported the presence of three boats in the Maltese Search and Rescue regions. The people on two of the boats were rescued and taken to Lampedusa. An estimated 110 people on the third boat appear to still be unaccounted for, what has happened?
Spanish rescue ship saves 38 migrants, at least two lives lost
The Open Arms private rescue operation has saved the lives of 38 migrants in distress in the central Mediterranean. Nearer to Spain, at least two migrants drowned at the weekend.
Nearly 1,000 migrants returned to Libya
The Libyan coast guard has intercepted nearly 1,000 migrants and brought them back to shore in the past 48 hours, according to the IOM. The UN agency says they face the risk of "arbitrary detention."
Deaths at sea a 'humanitarian crisis': IOM report
The number of migrants and asylum seekers who reached Europe in 2020 is the lowest it has been for a decade. But deaths and disappearances on sea routes – especially to the Canary Islands – remain alarmingly high, says a UN Migration report.
Migrants disembark Ocean Viking in Sicilian port
After several days at sea, the 116 migrants rescued by the Ocean Viking at the end of last week and over the weekend have disembarked in the Sicilian port of Augusta. Six persons tested positive for COVID-19.
Shipwreck in Mediterranean: Up to 60 migrants feared dead
Up to 60 migrants are feared dead after a shipwreck on Thursday, March 18. The organization Alarm Phone has tried to reconstruct what happened and has spoken with survivors. Its report was released on Monday.
Hundreds of migrants allowed to disembark in Sicily, blockade of Sea-Watch 4 lifted
A migrant rescue ship has been allowed to disembark 363 people rescued from the Mediterranean in Sicily. Italy also "provisionally" lifted a blockade of the vessel Sea-Watch 4.