Record 2,000 migrants arrive on Lampedusa in 24 hours

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 25 - Some 267 refugees and migrants arrived on Lampedusa between Friday night and Saturday morning, taking to over 2,000 the number of arrivals in 24 hours.
    The humanitarian rescue ship Louise Michel and Coast Guard and Finance Police vessels intervened to rescue four boats in distress.
    Finance police intercepted two more, including one that had already reached shore.
    Carabinieri police also intercepted a group of 43 migrants and refugees on the tiny southern Sicilian island. There was no sign of the boat used to make the crossing.
    The new arrivals came after 1,778 migrants and refugees landed on Lampedusa Friday.
    Following the transfer of 525 refugees and migrants off Lampedusa on Friday, on Saturday morning there were reportedly 1,831 people in the hotspot against an official capacity of less than 400. (ANSA).