Tunisian migrants protest on tiny Italian island

Stranded on an Italian island in increasingly desperate conditions, thousands of North African migrants have been making their voices heard.

They staged a protest on the tiny island of Lampedusa to raise awareness of their plight.

Having fled political turmoil at home, they are living in makeshift tent camps, with poor sanitary provision and little to eat.

“We have no food. We have no shelter. Look at where we sleep,” said Tunisian migrant Sabri Benzina.

Around 15,000 illegal immigrants have arrived in Lampedusa since Tunisia’s President Zine al-Abedine Ben Ali was ousted in January.

Visiting Tunisia on Friday, Italy’s Foreign Minister Franco Frattini announced a multi-million euro aid package to help its new authorities stem the flow.

Italy also fears an influx of many more thousands of refugees from war-torn Libya. Frattini has spoken of an “exodus of Biblical proportions”.

Copyright © 2013 euronews