More than 1,100 migrants rescued near Italy’s coasts over 24 hours

Over 1,100 migrants and refugees, including 121 unaccompanied children, were rescued off Italy’s southern coasts in the past 24 hours, Xinhua reported yesterday.

Some 145 people were saved from three boats that departed from Libyan ports, while 797 others were rescued in previous operations in the southern Mediterranean Sea, the source mentioned.

According to local media, the migrants mainly included Bengalis, Egyptians, Syrians, and Palestinians.

They add that dozens of other migrants also arrived at different ports in Sicily over the past 24 hours.

The recent surge in maritime arrivals in the last few days has been attributed to improving sea and weather conditions.

By April 4, 12,991 people had arrived in Italy by sea, down from 28,342 in the same period last year, Italian authorities confirmed.

Italy registered 157,661 sea arrivals in 2023, according to the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR.