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.
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