Loyalist
01-24-2009, 04:10 PM
Hundreds of illegal immigrants have broken out of a detention centre on the Italian island of Lampedusa and are staging a protest, officials have said.
Lampedusa mayor Bernardino De Rubeis told the AFP news agency the centre's security fence had been toppled and that about 700 immigrants had escaped.
They are said to be complaining about conditions at the camp, which was built for 850 but is currently holding 1,800.
On Friday, the UN urged Rome to address the "difficult humanitarian situation".
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expressed mounting concern about overcrowding. Hundreds have been forced to sleep outdoors in the cold.
The UNHCR also criticised a government decision to hold those who survive the perilous sea-crossing on the Mediterranean island until their cases are decided. Previously, they were sent to other centres. (Continues)
Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7848786.stm)
Lampedusa mayor Bernardino De Rubeis told the AFP news agency the centre's security fence had been toppled and that about 700 immigrants had escaped.
They are said to be complaining about conditions at the camp, which was built for 850 but is currently holding 1,800.
On Friday, the UN urged Rome to address the "difficult humanitarian situation".
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expressed mounting concern about overcrowding. Hundreds have been forced to sleep outdoors in the cold.
The UNHCR also criticised a government decision to hold those who survive the perilous sea-crossing on the Mediterranean island until their cases are decided. Previously, they were sent to other centres. (Continues)
Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7848786.stm)