EU chief to visit Italian island after migrant surge September 16, 2023 at 12:58AM

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen will visit the Italian island of Lampedusa this weekend with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in response to a surge in migrant arrivals. Over 8,500 people landed on Lampedusa over three days this week, putting pressure on the island's resources. The visit comes as officials transferred thousands of migrants to Sicily and sparked a debate on Europe's responsibility for asylum seekers.