Hundreds of refugees arrive on Lampedusa

After almost a week’s respite, three boatloads of immigrants have arrived on the italian island of Lampedusa.

Coastguards say they number 900 and are a mix of refugees fleeing the conflict in Libya and economic migrants from sub-saharan Africa.

There are women and children among them.

The latest arrivals have been transported to the island’s holding centre, which already houses 1,200 people.

A tiny island, Lampedusa has been swamped by a recent surge in refugees, many trying to escape the conflicts that have rocked North Africa since the start of the year.

The Italian government has set up a transfer system, using ferries to transport immigrants to other holding centres around the country.

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