Italy’s refugee island left in crisis

Article discusses the situation in the Italian island of Lampedusa in the early summer of 2011.

Italy’s southernmost speck of land, closer to Tunisia than Sicily, should be packed at this time of year with tourists and nesting turtles enjoying its pristine beaches. Instead the island and its hotels are virtually deserted – except for coastguards, police and aid workers awaiting the next break in the weather that will bring in a fresh influx of fugitives from north Africa.

ESO: Background information: Migrant boat sinks off Italian island http://www.europeansources.info/record/migrant-boat-sinks-off-italian-island/

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