AGRIGENTO - A total of over 700 migrants are thought to have landed on Italian shores over the last few days, many believed to be making the perilous journey from North Africa in an attempt to flee Jihadism in Africa. 

  In addition to these ever increasing numners, another tragic shipwreck has occurred in the waters off the north coast of Libya. According to the Libyan Red Crescent, all of those on board, at least 50, are dead. This tragic event took place in the same waters as the shipwreck that a little over a week ago killed over a hundred people. 

  The mayor of Lampedusa, Salvatore Martello, has said, “with the arrival of good weather, there will be mass landings,” because “for a few weeks, the Libyan route has resumed with impetus, with boats loaded with migrants,” though he added that we will see less of boats full of Tunisians.”

  With numbers of landings have picked up, Sicily over the weekend reached a peak of 723 migrants, though in less than two days all the migrant centres were emptied. 274 were transferred onto the quarantine ship Allegra, and another 190 were brought by ferry to Porto Empedocle and then Caltanissetta. If sea conditions allow it, Allegra will be contacted regarding a further 140 migrants to be brought aboard to quarantine.

  A group of 96 unaccompanied minors were brought to a reception centre in Villa Sikania in Siculiana.

  Strong sea conditions on Sunday didn’t allow for any further arrivals, including the 400 migrants still stuck on board a ship of the NGO Sea Watch off the coast of Italy awaiting disembarkation. 

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