Mother watches child, relatives swept away in Sicily river

Last Updated: Sunday, February 2, 2014, 21:56

An Italian woman watched aghast as her seven-year-old daughter and two other female relatives were swept to their deaths on Sunday when an overflowing river in Sicily engulfed their car, media reported.

Italian Navy rescues over 1000 migrants from boats in 24 hours

Last Updated: Friday, January 3, 2014, 16:47

The Italian Navy rescued more than 1,000 migrants in the 24 hours to Friday from boats trying to reach Europe, authorities said, as an immigration crisis that killed hundreds in the last year showed no signs of easing.

Italian Navy rescues 233 migrants south of Sicily

Last Updated: Thursday, January 2, 2014, 16:48

Sea arrivals to Italy from Northern Africa more than tripled in 2013, fuelled by refugees from Syria`s civil war and political strife in the Horn of Africa.

Volcanic eruption shuts Italy airport

Last Updated: Monday, December 16, 2013, 05:20

The eruption of the Mount Etna volcano in Sicily forced the closure of nearby Catania airport because of the plumes of ash billowing into the sky, airport officials said.

Etna volcano erupts, lighting up sky over Sicily

Last Updated: Sunday, November 17, 2013, 20:42

Mount Etna, Europe`s most active volcano, has erupted again, lighting up the sky over much of eastern Sicily and shooting up a towering column of ash.

Hundreds of migrants rescued in sea off Italy

Last Updated: Friday, October 25, 2013, 16:11

Italian navy and coast guard vessels rescued more than 700 migrants in waters between Sicily and North Africa overnight as an immigration crisis that has cost hundreds of lives this month showed no signs of abating.

Shipwreck survivors protest ahead of ceremony for drowned

Last Updated: Monday, October 21, 2013, 20:36

Survivors of Italy`s asylum shipwreck disaster held a sit-in at Lampedusa`s refugee centre on Monday, demanding to be taken to Sicily to join in a memorial ceremony for the victims.

Dozens killed in new migrant shipwreck south of Sicily

Last Updated: Saturday, October 12, 2013, 08:56

Dozens of people died on Friday when a boat carrying around 250 migrants capsized between Sicily and Tunisia, in the second such shipwreck this month, the Italian coastguard said.

Migrant boat sinks off Sicily, 200 people in sea

Last Updated: Friday, October 11, 2013, 23:00

A migrant boat has capsized between Sicily and Tunisia and around 200 people are in the sea, an Italian navy spokesman said on Friday.

Dozens of children among 163 immigrants rescued off Sicily

Last Updated: Wednesday, August 14, 2013, 00:10

Dozens of children were among a group of 163 immigrants rescued off the Italian coast on Tuesday, sparking immediate calls from local officials for emergency funds to help for their care.

Dramatic sea rescue in Italy, 900 migrants saved in two days

Last Updated: Monday, June 17, 2013, 00:23

Italy`s coast guard rescued 95 migrants found clinging to a large tuna fishing cage off the shores of Sicily on Sunday, as the number of people who landed in Italy over the weekend rose to over 900.