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Mediterranean migrant crisis: Most young migrants 'want to stay in Italy – not come to Britain' Mediterranean migrant crisis: Most young migrants 'want to stay in Italy – not come to Britain'
(35 minutes later)
A social worker who helps young migrants being rescued from the Mediterranean has dismissed the “myth” that many of those arriving are heading to the UK.A social worker who helps young migrants being rescued from the Mediterranean has dismissed the “myth” that many of those arriving are heading to the UK.
Giuseppe Silvestro said that not one of the men, women and children he met coming off a ship in Sicily yesterday told him they wanted to reach Britain.Giuseppe Silvestro said that not one of the men, women and children he met coming off a ship in Sicily yesterday told him they wanted to reach Britain.
“Thinking that most migrants are going to England is absolutely not true,” he told The Independent.“Thinking that most migrants are going to England is absolutely not true,” he told The Independent.
“You can ask anyone here - many of them want to stay in Italy.”“You can ask anyone here - many of them want to stay in Italy.”
His comments came as thousands of people camped in Calais continued trying to cross to England, risking their lives attempting to board lorries or enter the Channel Tunnel.His comments came as thousands of people camped in Calais continued trying to cross to England, risking their lives attempting to board lorries or enter the Channel Tunnel.
Many of those migrants are believed to have entered Europe through Italy, where naval ships and coastguard boats rescue vessels abandoned by smugglers offshore. © Lizzie Dearden Many of those migrants are believed to have entered Europe through Italy, where naval ships and coastguard boats rescue vessels abandoned by smugglers offshore.
Mr Silvestro runs Centro Ahmed, a reception centre for unaccompanied boys arriving in Messina, where they are given the legal help with their asylum claims as well as counselling and Italian lessons.Mr Silvestro runs Centro Ahmed, a reception centre for unaccompanied boys arriving in Messina, where they are given the legal help with their asylum claims as well as counselling and Italian lessons.
It will be a temporary home for many of the 37 children who arrived in Messina yesterday, alongside more than 300 migrants brought ashore by the Italian coastguard.It will be a temporary home for many of the 37 children who arrived in Messina yesterday, alongside more than 300 migrants brought ashore by the Italian coastguard.
Eight Malian teenage cousins who had travelled for five months to reach Europe said they fled a “big conflict” and had heard talk of Italy on the television and among friends.Eight Malian teenage cousins who had travelled for five months to reach Europe said they fled a “big conflict” and had heard talk of Italy on the television and among friends.
“We want to stay in Italy, we feel safe here,” 17-year-old Hamidou told The Independent. © Lizzie Dearden “We want to stay in Italy, we feel safe here,” 17-year-old Hamidou told The Independent.
Rescue workers from Save the Children said that destinations varied by nationality, with many Eritreans, Ethiopians and Sudanese migrants heading for Sweden.Rescue workers from Save the Children said that destinations varied by nationality, with many Eritreans, Ethiopians and Sudanese migrants heading for Sweden.
Germany was a popular destination for Syrian refugees, they said, while many arrivals stay in Italy.Germany was a popular destination for Syrian refugees, they said, while many arrivals stay in Italy.
“It used to be England but when I speak to people now they say it's too difficult to get to and too difficult to live there,” said Valentina Bollenback, from Save the Children, which works with young migrants.“It used to be England but when I speak to people now they say it's too difficult to get to and too difficult to live there,” said Valentina Bollenback, from Save the Children, which works with young migrants.
“They want to go to Sweden, where they can have a chance at a good life. Not just a normal life, a good life.”“They want to go to Sweden, where they can have a chance at a good life. Not just a normal life, a good life.”
The Scandinavian country allows all Syrians to become permanent residents and people fleeing the brutal conflict still make up the largest group of arrivals.The Scandinavian country allows all Syrians to become permanent residents and people fleeing the brutal conflict still make up the largest group of arrivals.
A record 127,000 people migrated to Sweden last year alone, including 800,000 asylum seekers - the highest number of any European country apart from Germany.A record 127,000 people migrated to Sweden last year alone, including 800,000 asylum seekers - the highest number of any European country apart from Germany.
That number is expected to rise this year as hundreds of thousands of people from the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa continue to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe. © Lizzie Dearden That number is expected to rise this year as hundreds of thousands of people from the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa continue to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe.
More than 2,000 migrants have lost their lives trying make the perilous voyage so far this year.More than 2,000 migrants have lost their lives trying make the perilous voyage so far this year.