More than 800 immigrants landed in southern Italy in one day, the Sicilian coastguard said today as the summer traffic of people trying to reach Europe from Africa increased.
Boatloads of around 200 people each landed in various locations, including the tiny island of Lampedusa, which has become famous as an arrival point for thousands of would-be immigrants from Africa.
Lampedusa is just 170 km (110 miles) off the African coast. Many migrants hope that if they can make it there they will be transferred to the mainland and will be able to start a new life in the European Union.
But Italy has started sending those who fail to prove they deserve asylum to Libya for repatriation, a policy which has been condemned by human rights groups and the European Parliament.