Tunisian immigrants are guarded by policemen upon arrival on the Italian island of Lampedusa
Posted on 02/14/2011 2:05:42 AM PST by bruinbirdman
A state of emergency has been declared by the Italian government after 5,000 illegal immigrants fleeing riot-torn Tunisia arrived in just five days.
Coastguard officials said that in just one 12-hour period 977 had arrived, with many more boats seen on radar screens approaching from north Africa.
Tunisian immigrants are guarded by policemen upon arrival on the Italian island of Lampedusa
The vessels carrying the illegal immigrants had all arrived on the tiny volcanic island of Lampedusa, which is just 60 miles from the Tunisian coast and the lone accommodation centre was struggling to cope.
Extra coastguard and navy patrols were dispatched to the waters between Lampedusa and Tunisia in an attempt to block the influx.
On Sunday, Tunisia sent security forces to coastal areas to stop the exodus.
Roberto Maroni, the interior minister, said the emergency had been declared because they feared "possible terrorists" had infiltrated the illegal immigrants and would then slip into the country.
He added that there was a risk that some of those who were trying to enter Italy could have come from prisons that were stormed during the unrest last month and had escaped.
Maurizio Massari, a foreign ministry spokesman, said: "The influx of illegal immigrants from Tunisia needs to be dealt with utmost urgency for national security.
"There is the possibility of infiltration by criminals who have escaped from prison or terrorists trying to get into Europe via our shores – that's why we need a European response.
"Italy has asked for an urgent meeting with the European Council of Justice and Internal Affairs to coordinate a European response to this new emergency."
To cope with the vast numbers many of the illegal immigrants were being ferried to the nearby larger island of Sicily where there were more
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
It isn’t that hard to sink these boats.
Everything on that map says “durka durka.”
They had better be careful. The island of Lampedusa could tip over.
well, if they are escaped prison inmates it’s ony a matter of time before we bring them to America because they are guaranteed democrat voters
welcome to the party, pals
I think it’s time Europe show how tolerant they are and welcome these animals.
The Camp of the Saints
“5,000 illegal immigrants arrived in just five days.”
That’s just an average work week in Arizona.
From that picture they all look like men to me. Put them back on a boat and then sink it.
Only 5,000? We get more new mexican illegals in a day than that.
Looks like they all shop at the same shoe and luggage store.
What’s Italian for “Mariel?”
That’s f*cking hillarious!!! I just p*ssed my pants!!!
Yeah, but consider how small of a country Italy is. Italy can’t absorb these people, even a few. They’re already teaming with thousands and thousands of fast-breeding immigrants. Besides that, Italians are so broke, so heavily taxed and over regulated that they can’t afford to buy a home and start families yet the gov treats immigrants like KINGS.
Send them back. All of them.
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