The 172 migrants rescued off the coast of Lampedusa by the crew of the Aita Mari docked in Salerno on Sunday morning, June 25. Among the migrants on board there were 55 unaccompanied minors, four children between the ages of 3-10, and two newborns, also not accompanied. 

All migrants are in a good state of health

All migrants were reportedly in good health conditions and tested negative for Covid. The shipwrecked came from Sub-Saharan Africa and underwent an additional physical examination once they arrived.

The Prefect of Salerno, Francesco Russo, said that migrants “will be placed partially in the province of Salerno, while others will be going in other provinces of the Region. They are all African, many hail from Mali and Burkina Faso."

“At the moment some critical aspects have been identified”, underlined Police Commissioner Giancarlo Conticchio. “We will carry out all the verification needed. We will also verify where the migrants were rescued and if there are any human traffickers among them," he added.

Support from Institutions, the church, and the city 

“There were many children that arrived on this boat. We expect to place all of them in the best way possible in the coming two days," explained the person in charge of the Social Policies for the municipality of Salerno, Paola de Roberto. 

“It is not sufficient to assistant them while they disembark from the ship, we must follow their path to ensure they have a better future," she commented.

The Archbishop of Salerno, Andrea Bellandi, was present at the dock: “Our city is always ready to welcome and shelter. The church, following the Pope’s message, can only be close to these brothers and sisters that are looking for a better life compared to where they come from," he declared.