Leaders and Commission President visit Lampedusa amidst migrant crisis

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited the island of Lampedusa, which has seen a spike in migrant arrivals. Meloni called for EU action to prevent departures from North Africa, including the possibility of a naval blockade. Von der Leyen vowed to crack down on human smuggling and called for increased surveillance of the Mediterranean. The number of migrants arriving in Italy has doubled compared to last year and is on track to reach record numbers.