463 Illegal Immigrants Taken Off Fishing Boat
A fishing boat carrying 463 illegal immigrants, including 60 children, was intercepted off the southern coast of Italy, and all the passengers were brought ashore, coast guard officials said.
The 115-foot boat, whose origin and national flag were not known, was due to be escorted to the port of Crotone, where there is a “welcome center†for immigrants.
But officials who boarded the vessel discovered that it was taking on water and decided to beach it and take the passengers ashore using smaller craft.
Thousands of illegal immigrants arrive on Italy’s shores every month, mostly from Asia, North Africa and Eastern Europe.
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