Search for migrants

Italy plans fines for pilots who help

Italy's government wants to impose fines on pilots who search for migrant boats in distress at sea. The aim is to prevent irregular arrivals.

The fines are to be up to 10,000 euros. According to the new decree, aircraft that take off or land in Italy and want to rescue migrants must immediately inform the authorities of any emergency and comply with their orders. Otherwise, the aircraft can be impounded for 20 days and confiscated in the event of repeated violations.

In May, the Italian government had already banned NGO aircraft from using airports near the shipping routes of migrant boats. Some organizations then disregarded the ban. Ships were also often confiscated in ports and forced to make long detours to bring migrants ashore.

Stricter rules for visas
The new decree also provides for a crackdown on fraud in the visa system. Employers who have submitted an application to hire a foreigner in the past three years but have never processed it will no longer be allowed to submit further applications.

The right-wing government under Giorgia Meloni also wants to work with African governments to block the departure of migrants and set up centers in Albania.