Italy strained by continued migrant flow

08/03/11 12:03 CET

world news

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The flow of migrants from Tunisia to Italy has shown little sign of letting up.

Eighteen boats arrived at the island of Lampedusa with a total of more than 1,200 people aboard over a 24 hour period, taking advantage of a lull in previously stormy conditions.

Italy’s interior minister Roberto Maroni said Europe was being invaded. His party, the Northern League, strongly opposes immigration.

And the leader of the far-right French National Front, Marine Le Pen, said she would visit Lampedusa to condemn what she called the EU’s ‘impotence’ against the recent rise in migrant numbers.

Thousands of Tunisians have made the trip since the revolt that toppled their president in January.

There are already 1,500 people packed into Lampedusa’s immigration centre, which is only designed for 850.

And local officials are already expecting more arrivals.

More about: Immigration, Italy, Tunisia

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Mali: Rebel groups agree to creation of Islamic state

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