ROME -  Italy will launch a naval and air mission to "triple" its presence in the south Mediterranean in order to prevent more shipwrecks, Italian Defence Minister Mario Mauro has stated.

 

The remarks come following an announcement by Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta on Sunday to implement a joint military-humanitarian mission to assist refugees and help secure the Mediterranean.

 

The move comes as a response to international calls for action after the two recent boating disasters that occurred off the coast of Sicily. On Friday, a boat carrying over 200 migrants to Italy took on water and capsized, killing 38 people. On Oct. 3, over 300 people were killed when a boat caught fire and capsized near the island of Lampedusa.  

 

Prime Minister Letta is meeting with a council of his ministers on Monday to outline the mission. Italian Defence Minister Mario Mauro has said that operations may begin as early as Tuesday, stating that "the problem is not about how much it costs," but that increasing patrols is an action that is "necessary." The Navy is also preparing for the operation by gathering its resources. A Navy official stated that they are "ready to do our part" and that several aircraft are available for the aid mission. Italy will also request assistance from the European Union. 

 

The United Nations Refugee Agency has estimated that in 2013, over 32,000 migrants have arrived in Italy and Malta. In September alone, 4,600 migrants left Libya, which is a strikingly large figure compared to the 755 migrants who left Libya last September.

 

Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan is also working to address this issue. On Sunday he stated that he is "determined" to find a solution to illegal immigration. He has asked the EU for training and equipment to prevent illegal immigrants from leaving Libya and has also requested access to the EU satellite system in order to better monitor Libya's coast.