Commenting on the acute migration crisis facing Italy, S&D Group president Gianni Pittella said:

"Following the increasing number of immigrants, today the Italian authorities have pulled the emergency signal against allowing further numbers of migrants to disembark in Italian ports.

"The situation is dramatic and no longer manageable. Over 12,000 migrants have been rescued and hosted in Italy in the last 48 hours alone and many thousands more are predicted to come. As predicted, after years of enormous commitment, often well beyond international obligations, Italy has reached its limits of sustainability in terms of hosting and rescuing migrants. On the contrary, the European Council and individual member states have reached their highest level of indifference and lack of solidarity. Everyone looks the other way.

"Today, the Italian authorities have sent another worrying emergency signal, crying out for European help. We now ask once again: Europe, where are you? The relocation system must finally and fully be implemented and all member states must live up to their responsibilities. The time for good intentions and void words is over."