ROME - As the number of migrants undertaking the perilous Mediterranean crossing increases, the situation is becoming increasingly desperate. Reports on Thursday indicate that 12 Christian migrants have been killed by their Muslim counterparts during one of the crossings. At least 440 others have perished due to inadequate boats packed with cargoes of pitiful refugees by ruthless people smugglers, Italian authorities and NGOs say.

 Palermo police have arrested 15 people from the Ivory Coast, Mali and Senegal on charges of murder aggravated by religious hatred after some 10 other passengers from Nigeria and Ghana said the 15 had slung 12 people into the sea because they were Christians. The incident took place at the height of a row during the crossing, before the survivors were rescued by the ship ‘Ellensborg’ and taken to Sicily, police sources said.

 According to the Italian coastguard over 10,000 migrants have been rescued from boats across the Mediterranean in just four days this week, with reports suggesting that as many as 500 have died attempting the crossing. Far from discouraging other migrants however, the number of people leaving Africa for Europe is rapidly increasing, in part due to recent upheaval in Libya and the worsening situation in Syria.

 “The situation in the Mediterranean is serious and it will get worse in the coming weeks and months,” said Natalie Bertaud, a spokesperson for the European Commission.

 In response to the deepening crisis, Italy’s Interior Ministry ordered regional prefects to locate emergency shelter for migrants around Italy. This has been met with intense opposition in certain regions; in particular Lombardy and Veneto which have refused to meet the Prime Minister’s demands.

 "We are not going to suffer this invasion,” said Roberto Maroni president of the Lombardy Region. "I fully endorse the view expressed by Luca Zaia, who said that in Veneto there are 'zero places'. There will be no places available in Lombardy as long as this government’s irresponsible attitude continues.”

 Maroni is a member of the right-wing Northern League, which has made an anti-immigration stance, a key element of their manifesto ahead of May’s regional elections. Several remarks made by the party’s leader Matteo Salvini in recent weeks, have been interpreted by commentators as political bordering on racist.

 However in other regions of Italy there has been a more positive response to the government’s request. There have been calls to use the Catholic Church’s extraordinary Jubilee year as a positive force behind accommodating a growing number of migrants. Pope Francis announced that the year is being held with the aim of increasing mercy amongst citizens.

 “The Jubilee offers an opportunity to turn a corner, to focus on enhancing the lives of migrants and asylum-seekers, who could be hosted by Roman families or employed in organisational tasks,” said Francesca Danese, Councillor for Social Policy in Rome.  “We can help them take part in this extraordinary event which is happening in Rome.”

 Similar initiatives across the country will provide help to asylum-seekers upon reaching Italy, however it has been widely acknowledged that something must be done to limit deaths in the Mediterranean. Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said that 90% of the responsibility for aiding migrants in distress had fallen to the Italian coastguard in recent weeks.

 “We have not had an adequate response from the EU,” said Gentiloni. “We have a duty to save lives and welcome people in a civilised manner, but we also have a duty to seek international engagement. This emergency is not just about Italy.”