Italy declares state of emergency as migrant numbers surge

Migrants stand on the deck of the Diciotti Italian Coast Guard ship (Valeria Ferraro/AP)

Italy’s right-wing government has declared a six-month national state of emergency to help it cope with a surge in migrants arriving on the country’s southern shores, state TV said.

Premier Giorgia Meloni and her Cabinet approved imposing the emergency status to deal with the migrant influx, state TV said, adding that a special commissioner was expected to be named.