Number of migrants reaching Italy’s shores so far this year exceeds 20,000

The number of irregular migrants who have arrived in Italy by sea since the start of the year has exceeded 20,000, according to official figures.

Data from Italy’s Interior Ministry showed that 20,017 irregular migrants came to the country via the Mediterranean in the Jan. 1 to March 13 period compared with 6,152 during the same period last year.

Between March 9-11 alone, 4,566 people arrived irregularly via the Mediterranean migration routes.