EU in touch with Meloni on Lampedusa, ready to help

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 14 - The European Union is ready to support Italy in managing the situation created by the record number of migrants and refugees arriving by sea on Lampedusa, an EU Commission spokesperson said on Thursday.
    The current situation "underlines once again the challenges we are facing and the efforts we have to make," said spokeswoman Anitta Hipper in Brussels.
    "On Lampedusa, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is in contact with Premier Giorgia Meloni and this morning Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson spoke to (Interior) Minister Piantedosi to assess the situation and see how the EU can provide aid," she continued.
    "We support Italy on an operational and financial level. And we are ready to support Italy," said Hipper.
    On Wednesday 2,154 migrants and refugees landed on Lampedusa, further adding to the pressure caused by an unprecedented number of arrivals the previous day.
    Consequently on Thursday morning there were nearly 7,000 people in the migrant hotspot, although 3,750 people were due to be transferred off the island during the day. (ANSA).