How a crisis on a tiny island in the middle of the Mediterranean is
changing the face of immigration in Europe. This spring, in the wake of
the uprisings across the Arab world, the Italian island of Lampedusa, just
70 miles from the African coast, has seen the arrival of over 40,000
migrants from Tunisia and Libya.
This programme charts how, within weeks, its small migrant reception
centre is overflowing, and the island's tourist economy faces meltdown.
The islanders openly revolt, blockading the small port and riot in the
streets. Local mayor Bernadino de Rubeis makes desperate attempts to keep
everyone calm, with limited results.
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