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LequteMan
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Italian president Giorgio Napolitano has praised bathers near Pachino in south-east Sicily who helped the coastguard to rescue about 160 Syrian refugees to shore after a perilous sea crossing.
He said: “The images aired by television channels of dozens of swimmers that from the beach pushed out generously to assist refugees coming from Syria, many of which were children, to reach the shore and safety, do Italy proud.
“This shows how, when faced by tragedy – which is experienced on a daily basis on (the stepping-stone island of) Lampedusa and elsewhere with arrivals of those escaping from wars and persecutions – a sense of humanity and solidarity prevails in Italians, stronger than any sense of prejudice of fear.
The number of migrants landing on Italian shores has over doubled over a 40-day period.
8,932 migrants have arrived after dangerous sea crossing between July and August this year and the total number of migrant arrivals currently stand at 17,167.
He said: “The images aired by television channels of dozens of swimmers that from the beach pushed out generously to assist refugees coming from Syria, many of which were children, to reach the shore and safety, do Italy proud.
“This shows how, when faced by tragedy – which is experienced on a daily basis on (the stepping-stone island of) Lampedusa and elsewhere with arrivals of those escaping from wars and persecutions – a sense of humanity and solidarity prevails in Italians, stronger than any sense of prejudice of fear.
The number of migrants landing on Italian shores has over doubled over a 40-day period.
8,932 migrants have arrived after dangerous sea crossing between July and August this year and the total number of migrant arrivals currently stand at 17,167.
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