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  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: (L-R) Carlo Parini, head of the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym), poses for a portrait behind his desk in the G.I.C.I.C. office in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard repair a marine engine during a mechanics course in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers were undermin
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9548.jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: Objects such as maps, flags,  compasses and personal belongings of migrants recovered from smugglers' boats are stored here in a deposit of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: (L-R) Carlo Parini, head of the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym), works at his desk in the G.I.C.I.C. office in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • INTERNATIONAL WATERS (OFF THE COASTS OF SICILY, ITALY) - 9 FEBRUARY 2017: The view from the deck of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in international waters off the coast of Sicily, Italy, on Febuary 9th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers were undermining the Li
    CIPG_20170209_NYT-Libya__M3_0687.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard repair a marine engine during a mechanics course in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers were undermin
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9559.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: 89 officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy are seen here during their graduation ceremony of their first training package, here on the deck of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_1735.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: An Italian Navy medic instructor is seen here in a container where a first-aid course is held for the 89 officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy, in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_0001.jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: Folders and files of investigations related to illegal landing of migrant boats in Sicily from 2011 to 2016 are stored here in the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • INTERNATIONAL WATERS BETWEEN MALTA AND SICILY - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy play foosball at the end of the day in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in international waters between Malta and Sicily, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustaina
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_0079_2.jpg
  • INTERNATIONAL WATERS BETWEEN MALTA AND SICILY - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy play foosball at the end of the day in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in international waters between Malta and Sicily, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustaina
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_0072_2.jpg
  • INTERNATIONAL WATERS BETWEEN MALTA AND SICILY - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy play foosball at the end of the day in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in international waters between Malta and Sicily, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustaina
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_0063_2.jpg
  • INTERNATIONAL WATERS BETWEEN MALTA AND SICILY - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy play foosball at the end of the day in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in international waters between Malta and Sicily, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustaina
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_0059_2.jpg
  • INTERNATIONAL WATERS BETWEEN MALTA AND SICILY - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy play foosball at the end of the day in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in international waters between Malta and Sicily, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustaina
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_0045_2.jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: Objects such as maps, flags,  compasses and personal belongings of migrants recovered from smugglers' boats are stored here in a deposit of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: Objects such as maps, flags,  compasses and personal belongings of migrants recovered from smugglers' boats are stored here in a deposit of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: (L-R) Carlo Parini, head of the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym), works at his desk in the G.I.C.I.C. office in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: (L-R) Carlo Parini, head of the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym), works at his desk in the G.I.C.I.C. office in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: The desk of Carlo Parini, head of the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym), is seen here in the GICIC headquart in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: Folders and files of investigations related to illegal landing of migrant boats in Sicily from 2011 to 2016 are stored here in the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: (L-R) Carlo Parini, head of the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym), and translator Marina Mina discuss a wiretapping of a migrants smuggling ring during an investigation in their office in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck. Angelo Milazzo then hired Marina Mina, who speaks five languages including Arabic, to help him in the investigation.<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: (L-R) Carlo Parini, head of the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym), and translator Marina Mina discuss a wiretapping of a migrants smuggling ring during an investigation in their office in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck. Angelo Milazzo then hired Marina Mina, who speaks five languages including Arabic, to help him in the investigation.<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: (L-R) Carlo Parini, head of the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym), and translator Marina Mina discuss a wiretapping of a migrants smuggling ring during an investigation in their office in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck. Angelo Milazzo then hired Marina Mina, who speaks five languages including Arabic, to help him in the investigation.<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: A cell phone belonging to Victim #13 of the August 24th shipwreck is seen here in the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: An envelope containing the personal belongings of Victim #13 of the August 24th shipwreck is seen here in the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: A flight boarding pass belonging to Victim #22 of the August 24th shipwreck is seen here in the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: The Syrian passport belonging to Victim #22 of the August 24th shipwreck is seen here in the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: The personal belongings of Victim #22 of the August 24th shipwreck are seen here in the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: An envelope containing the personal belongings of Victim #22 of the August 24th shipwreck is seen here in the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: Folders and files of investigations related to illegal landing of migrant boats in Sicily from 2011 to 2016 are stored here in the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: Folders and files of investigations related to illegal landing of migrant boats in Sicily from 2011 to 2016 are stored here in the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: Folders and files of investigations related to illegal landing of migrant boats in Sicily from 2011 to 2016 are stored here in the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: Shelving units, boxes, folders and maps can been from the windows of the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: A policeman works in the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • INTERNATIONAL WATERS (OFF THE COASTS OF SICILY, ITALY) - 9 FEBRUARY 2017: The San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, is seen here from a helicopter of the Italian Navy in international waters off the coast of Sicily, Italy, on Febuary 9th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said trafficker
    CIPG_20170209_NYT-Libya__M3_0881.jpg
  • INTERNATIONAL WATERS (OFF THE COASTS OF SICILY, ITALY) - 9 FEBRUARY 2017: The San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, is seen here from a helicopter of the Italian Navy in international waters off the coast of Sicily, Italy, on Febuary 9th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said trafficker
    CIPG_20170209_NYT-Libya__M3_0862.jpg
  • INTERNATIONAL WATERS (OFF THE COASTS OF SICILY, ITALY) - 9 FEBRUARY 2017: The San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, is seen here from a helicopter of the Italian Navy in international waters off the coast of Sicily, Italy, on Febuary 9th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said trafficker
    CIPG_20170209_NYT-Libya__M3_0848.jpg
  • INTERNATIONAL WATERS (OFF THE COASTS OF SICILY, ITALY) - 9 FEBRUARY 2017: An official of the Italian Navy is seen here in front of a SH-90 helicopter of the Italian Navy right before take-off, here on the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in international waters off the coast of Sicily, Italy, on Febuary 9th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was �
    CIPG_20170209_NYT-Libya__M3_0802.jpg
  • INTERNATIONAL WATERS (OFF THE COASTS OF SICILY, ITALY) - 9 FEBRUARY 2017: A SH-90 helicopter of the Italian Navy approaches the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in international waters off the coast of Sicily, Italy, on Febuary 9th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers
    CIPG_20170209_NYT-Libya__M3_0710.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: An officials of the Libyan Navy simulates a cardiopulmonary resuscitation during a first-aid course held in a container in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9988.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: An officials of the Libyan Navy simulates a cardiopulmonary resuscitation during a first-aid course held in a container in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9968.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: An officials of the Libyan Navy simulates a first-aid technique during a first-aid course held in a container in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said trafficker
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9966.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: A petty official of the Libyan Navy Coastguard is seen here in the pilot house of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, as it sets out of the harbor of Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers were undermini
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9881.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: A petty official of the Libyan Navy Coastguard is seen here in the pilot house of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, as it sets out of the harbor of Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers were undermini
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9877.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: A petty official of the Libyan Navy Coastguard is seen here in the pilot house of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, as it sets out of the harbor of Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers were undermini
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9866.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: The view seen from the pilot house of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, as it sets out of the harbor of Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers were undermining the Libyan state’s authority for their
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9813.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Italian Navy staff is seen here at work during a maneuver in the pilot house of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, as it sets out of the harbor of Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers were undermining
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9712.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: A petty official of the Libyan Navy Coastguard is seen here in the pilot house of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, as it sets out of the harbor of Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers were undermini
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9700.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Italian Navy staff is seen here at work during a maneuver in the pilot house of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, as it sets out of the harbor of Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers were undermining
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9676.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Italian Navy staff and Commander Fabio Fares (center) are seen here at work during a maneuver in the pilot house of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, as it sets out of the harbor of Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9661.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Italian Navy staff is seen here at work during a maneuver in the pilot house of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, as it sets out of the harbor of Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers were undermining
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9610.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: A radar is seen here in the pilot house of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers were undermining the Libyan state’s authority for their profit. Serraj’s embat
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9596.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: An Italian Navy medic instructor shows first-aid technique on an official of the Libyan Navy during a first-aid course held in a container in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9483.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: International maritime signal flags are seen here in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers were undermining the Libyan state’s authority for their
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9388.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Shoes are left outside a makeshift mosque in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, during the prayer of of a Libyan Navy Coastguard official in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers were und
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9383.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: A halal food sign, for the 89 officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy, is seen here by the mess hall of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he sa
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9236.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017:  Officials and petty officials of the Italiany Navy and the Maltese Forces (background) are seen here on the deck of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, before the graduation ceremony of the first training package of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy  in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Medi
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_1966.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: An official of the Libyan Navy Coastguard holds his certificate of attendance during the graduation ceremony of their first training package, here on the deck of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_1883.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Italian Minister of Defence Roberta Pinotti addresses the 89 officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy during the  graduation ceremony of their first training package, here on the deck of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediter
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_1683.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: 89 officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy are seen here during their graduation ceremony of their first training package, here on the deck of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_1654.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017:  Officials and petty officials of the Maltese Forces are seen here on the deck of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, before the graduation ceremony of the first training package of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy  in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustaina
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_1548.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017:  Officials and petty officials of the Italiany Navy and the Maltese Forces (foreground) are seen here on the deck of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, before the graduation ceremony of the first training package of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy  in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Medi
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_1543.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: A petty official of the Italian Navy ship San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, holds a Libyan flag on the deck of the ship before the graduation ceremony of the first training package of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy  in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustaina
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_1536.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: An official of the Italian Navy steps on the deck of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, before the graduation ceremony of the first training package of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy  in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_1522.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017:  Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino (54, center), the Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR Med, poses for a portrait on the deck of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, before the graduation ceremony of the first training package of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy  in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Centra
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_1488.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Italian Navy staff of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, is seen here on the deck of the ship before the graduation ceremony of the first training package of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy  in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU o
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_1375.jpg
  • INTERNATIONAL WATERS BETWEEN MALTA AND SICILY - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy play foosball at the end of the day in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in international waters between Malta and Sicily, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustaina
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_0059.jpg
  • INTERNATIONAL WATERS BETWEEN MALTA AND SICILY - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy play foosball at the end of the day in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in international waters between Malta and Sicily, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustaina
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_0045.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Containers, where a first-aid course is held for the 89 officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy, are seen here in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or f
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_0003.jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: Folders and files of investigations related to illegal landing of migrant boats in Sicily from 2011 to 2016 are stored here in the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: Folders and files of investigations related to illegal landing of migrant boats in Sicily from 2011 to 2016 are stored here in the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: (L-R) Carlo Parini, head of the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym), and translator Marina Mina discuss a wiretapping of a migrants smuggling ring during an investigation in their office in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck. Angelo Milazzo then hired Marina Mina, who speaks five languages including Arabic, to help him in the investigation.<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: (L-R) Carlo Parini, head of the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym), and translator Marina Mina discuss a wiretapping of a migrants smuggling ring during an investigation in their office in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck. Angelo Milazzo then hired Marina Mina, who speaks five languages including Arabic, to help him in the investigation.<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: A ring belonging to Victim #22 of the August 24th shipwreck is seen here in the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: A ring belonging to Victim #22 of the August 24th shipwreck is seen here in the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: Marina Mina (40, left) listens to the wiretapping of a migrants smuggling ring during an investigation in the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck. Angelo Milazzo then hired Marina Mina, who speaks five languages including Arabic, to help him in the investigation.<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: Folders and files of investigations related to illegal landing of migrant boats in Sicily from 2011 to 2016 are stored here in the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • SIRACUSA, ITALY - 22 SEPTEMBER 2016: Folders and files of investigations related to illegal landing of migrant boats in Sicily from 2011 to 2016 are stored here in the office of the Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C., by its Italian acronym) in the Court House of Siracusa, Italy, on September 22nd 2016.<br />
<br />
The Interagency Task Force for Combating Illegal Migration (or G.I.C.I.C.) assigned policeman Angelo Milazzo the identification of 24 victims of the August 24th 2014 shipwreck<br />
<br />
On August 24th 2014, a boat carrying more than 400 migrants, departed from the coasts of Libya in the attempt to reach Italy, capsized in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescuers of the Italian Navy saved 352 people, and recovered 24 lifeless bodies.<br />
<br />
Following the events of the Arab Spring in 2011, including Gaddafi’s death and Libya’s plunge towards chaos, clandestine crossings skyrocketed, as did the number of people drowning. In 2014 over 170,000 arrived in Italy and since then more than 10,000 perished in the Mediterranean sea.<br />
<br />
Only a fraction of these bodies have ever been recovered, and, of the ones that have, the majority remain unidentified. In Sicily alone there are more than 1,500 graves of anonymous refugees and migrants–people from Syria and other war torn countries–who have drowned in shipwrecks at sea.<br />
<br />
Despite the decades long persistence of the problem, Italy has yet to develop a comprehensive approach to handling the bodies of shipwreck victims. Many pieces of a functional body identification system are in place, but its overall effectiveness is crippled by a lack of coordination between the various local agencies involved and national authorities.
    CIPG_20160922_WIRED_BodyIdentificati...jpg
  • INTERNATIONAL WATERS (OFF THE COASTS OF SICILY, ITALY) - 9 FEBRUARY 2017: A petty official of the Italian Navy is seen here at work, as a SH-90 helicopter of the Italian Navy is ready for take-off, here on the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in international waters off the coast of Sicily, Italy, on Febuary 9th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route w
    CIPG_20170209_NYT-Libya__M3_0782.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Two officials of the Libyan Navy simulate a first-aid technique during a first-aid course held in a container in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said trafficker
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9995.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: An officials of the Libyan Navy simulates a cardiopulmonary resuscitation during a first-aid course held in a container in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9973.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy attend a first-aid course held by an Belgian Military medic instructor in a container in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9959.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Two officials of the Libyan Navy simulate a first-aid technique during a first-aid course held in a container in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said trafficker
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9940.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: A petty official of the Libyan Navy Coastguard studies a map of the Mediterranean Sea  in the pilot house of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, as it sets out of the harbor of Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9934.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: A petty official of the Libyan Navy Coastguard studies a map of the Mediterranean Sea  in the pilot house of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, as it sets out of the harbor of Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9924.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: A petty official of the Libyan Navy Coastguard is seen here in the pilot house of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, as it sets out of the harbor of Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers were undermini
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9834.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Two petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard are seen here in the pilot house of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, as it sets out of the harbor of Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers were under
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9682.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Italian Navy staff is seen here at work during a maneuver in the pilot house of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, as it sets out of the harbor of Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers were undermining
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9629.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard repair a marine engine during a mechanics course in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers were undermin
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9594.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy attend a first-aid course held by an Italian Navy medic instructor in a container in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9529.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy attend a first-aid course held by an Italian Navy medic instructor in a container in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9448.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy attend a first-aid course held by an Italian Navy medic instructor in a container in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9422.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy attend a first-aid course held by an Italian Navy medic instructor in a container in the hangar of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9408.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: A petty official of the Libyan Navy Coastguard relaxes in the stern of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, after their graduation ceremony for their first training package, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9357.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: A petty official of the Italian Navy is seen here at the entrance of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU or for Libya”, where he said traffickers were undermining the Libyan state’s authority for thei
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_9272.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy are seen here during their graduation ceremony of their first training package, here on the deck of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_1907.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: 89 officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy are seen here during their graduation ceremony of their first training package, here on the deck of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_1730.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Italian Minister of Defence Roberta Pinotti addresses the 89 officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy during the  graduation ceremony of their first training package, here on the deck of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediter
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_1672.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino (54, left) of the Italian Navy, Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR Med, addresses the 89 officials and petty officials of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy during the  graduation ceremony of their first training package, here on the deck of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_1599.jpg
  • VALLETTA, MALTA - 8 FEBRUARY 2017: A member of the Order of Malta walks away from the  deck of the San Giorgio, an amphibious transport dock of the Italian Navy, before the graduation ceremony of the first training package of the Libyan Navy Coastguard and Libyan Navy  in Valetta, Malta, on Febuary 8th 2017.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of the April 2015 Libya migrant shipwrecks, the EU launched a military operation known as European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, with the aim of neutralising established refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean. The aim of this new operation launched by Europe is to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia’s mandate reinforcing it by supporting the training of the Libyan coastguard.<br />
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian<br />
authorities and 380 boats were removed from the criminal organizations' availability. The Operation has saved 32.081 migrants, among whom 1888 children.<br />
<br />
On February 2nd 2017 Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Prime Minister of the U.N. backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing the border between Libya and Italy. The following day, as EU leaders meet in Malta for a summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said after talks with Serraj, that “it is time to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy” and that “the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern Mediterranean.”  Tusk said the Central Mediterranean route was “not sustainable either for the EU
    CIPG_20170208_NYT-Libya__M3_1526.jpg
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