Over 9,600 asylum seekers have landed on Italy's shores this month, more than the number of people who arrived in March 2016, according to the interior ministry. More than 23,000 migrants have arrived in Italy until now in 2017.
Following record-high migrant arrivals in Italy in February, the current month has also witnessed a higher number than the past two years. Statistics from the Italian interior ministry show that 9,684 migrants arrived on Italian coasts in March, compared with 9,676 in 2016 and 2,282 in 2015. Some 23,123 migrants arrived from January 1, 2017 until March 28, a 59.41% rise on the previous year and a 127.48% one on 2015. Most of the arrivals were at Sicilian ports, especially Augusta (6,059), followed by Catania (3,570). The Trapani and Pozzallo hotspots received 2,373 and 2,135 migrants. As of March 20, 4,438 migrants were relocated to other European countries from Italy. These included321 minors. Most of them were relocated to Germany, followed by Norway and Finland. A total of 1,548 requests have been sent and are waiting approval from member states, while 992 are awaiting transfer. Some 8,673 people have so far been included in the relocation program in Italy.
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