In the early hours of 1 December—reported on 2 December—Italian authorities coordinated four separate rescues off the coast of Lampedusa, bringing 138 people safely ashore. A Guardia di Finanza patrol vessel towed the largest group of 27 Sudanese, Somali and Eritrean passengers, while Carabinieri intercepted 55 Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Egyptian nationals who had made landfall near Molo Favarolo. Two additional wooden boats were located near Cala Croce after beaching in rough surf.
All survivors were transferred to the Imbriacola hotspot, which had only been partially re-populated after 73 occupants were relocated to Sicilian reception centres the previous evening. Medical staff treated a Sudanese woman for hypothermia at the island’s polyclinic, illustrating the heightened health risks during winter crossings.
![Four overnight landings bring 138 migrants to Lampedusa despite winter seas]()
For companies moving staff through Sicily, the incident signals that ad-hoc ferry and flight schedules may continue to shift as the Coast Guard requisitions dock space and air-ambulance slots. Mobility managers should monitor NOTAMs and local port notices, and budget extra transit time for employees routing via Catania or Palermo.
Politically, the landings add pressure on the government’s fast-track processing centres in Albania, which are still facing legal hurdles. Lawmakers have hinted that more arrivals could push Rome to accelerate use of the offshore facilities, potentially triggering fresh litigation from human-rights groups.
All survivors were transferred to the Imbriacola hotspot, which had only been partially re-populated after 73 occupants were relocated to Sicilian reception centres the previous evening. Medical staff treated a Sudanese woman for hypothermia at the island’s polyclinic, illustrating the heightened health risks during winter crossings.
For companies moving staff through Sicily, the incident signals that ad-hoc ferry and flight schedules may continue to shift as the Coast Guard requisitions dock space and air-ambulance slots. Mobility managers should monitor NOTAMs and local port notices, and budget extra transit time for employees routing via Catania or Palermo.
Politically, the landings add pressure on the government’s fast-track processing centres in Albania, which are still facing legal hurdles. Lawmakers have hinted that more arrivals could push Rome to accelerate use of the offshore facilities, potentially triggering fresh litigation from human-rights groups.
