Almost 500 refugees detained by Italy

Over the past two days the Italian Coast Guard has caught more than 470 illegal immigrants attempting to reach Europe in the Mediterranean Sea. Most of those caught are from African countries.

Currently all of the detainees are in refugee detention centers in Lampedusa and Sicily.

Since 2011, Europe and especially Italy, have been hit by waves of immigrants from North Africa, where there have been widespread regime changes.

Traditionally the number of refugees, who attempt to reach Europe from regions south of the Sahara, is high.