Italy declares state of emergency to stop migrants

The flow of migrants to Italy has increased dramatically. The desperate attempt by migrants to illegally reach Europe by crossing the perilous Mediterranean Sea, mainly in the hope of a better life, is only increasing.

And in this situation, Italy has issued a state of emergency. The country has taken this decision due to the huge increase in the number of migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean illegally to Italy. Reuters reported this information in a report on Wednesday.

Italy's cabinet declared a migration emergency on Tuesday after a "massive increase" in the flow of migrants across the Mediterranean, reports said. The move is aimed at better management of migrant arrivals and repatriation activities, a statement said.

Italy's Ministry of Maritime and Civil Protection said the state of emergency, declared on Tuesday, will last for six months and will initially cost 50 million euros to carry out various activities under the state of emergency.

Italian Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumesi said, "Let's be clear, we are not solving the problem, the solution depends only on the responsible intervention of the European Union."

Reuters reports that the move to impose a state of emergency will allow the right-wing government of Georgia Meloni to repatriate migrants who are no longer allowed to stay in Italy more quickly, a government source in the European country said. In addition, the measure will increase the identification and deportation orders of immigrants.
The right-wing government of Giorgia Meloni, in power since October last year, has promised to stop or slow the flow of migration to Italy. But the country is still struggling to cope with the influx of migrants.

According to the Italian Ministry of Interior, about 31 thousand 300 immigrants have arrived in Italy in 2023 so far. At the same time last year, this number was about 7 thousand 900 people.

Earlier, the Italian Coast Guard started an operation to rescue 1,200 migrants who were floating in two boats in the sea. The operation to rescue these immigrants from the coast of Italy started last Monday.

Earlier, at least 79 migrants lost their lives in a shipwreck near Italy's southern Calabria on February 26 while traveling illegally to Italy. Following the incident, Prime Minister Maloney called on the European Union to do more to stop illegal immigration.

Calabria Governor Roberto Occiuto said in a statement that the Ministry of Interior and other institutions should have special powers to deal with and manage such complex events. Because (these immigration incidents) are putting pressure on the southern region.

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