Residents and migrants protest ahead of von der Leyen visit to Lampedusa

Tensions on the small island were rising on Saturday, as both residents and migrants chafed at the long wait times to transfer people from the crowded reception centre to the Italian mainland. Nearly 7,000 migrants arrived on Lampedusa from Tunisia this week, and the Red Cross said that 3,800 remained on the island on Friday. Lampedusa residents protest, September 16, 2023 RAIResidents gathered in the centre of town Saturday to protest plans to put up a tent city on Lampedusa and demanded a meeting with a Sicilian regional law enforcement official. Meanwhile, footage aired by SKY TG24 showed police using shields to prevent migrants inside the reception centre from surging to the gate. Residents and migrants in Lampedusa, Italy, September 16th 2023 RAIMigrants continued to arrive Saturday, but in far smaller numbers, around 500.