Italy’s gateway to Europe struggles with migrant influx

Cloaked by darkness and guarded by police, they huddle together at the port: the latest migrants to reach Lampedusa, out of the shadows and into Europe. 

More than 2,000 have reached the southern Italian island since Saturday, raising fears that the warmer weather could bring a new rush to Europe's shores.

Around the new arrivals, fragments of aluminium thermal blankets flutter in the air, buffeted by the winds they faced on their crossing from Libya.

Almost 13,000 have landed in Italy so far this year; three times more than the same period in 2020. And more than 500 have died – a four-year high.