Finland is preparing to deploy 20 specialists, patrol boats and a surveillance aircraft to help detect the increasing number of illegal immigrants attempting to make their way from North African shores to Europe.
The Scandinavian country will also offer training support to Italy, the most popular destination among the African immigrants and in whose waters many would-be asylum seekers have perished trying to make the perilous journey on often makeshift boats.
In the past two weeks, 350 people trying to make their way towards a supposed better life in Europe have died en route. Compared to last year, the number of immigrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Italy has almost quadrupled, with authorities estimating that by the end of last month the number had reached 30,000.
Finn Ilkka Laitinen, chief of the EU border security agency Frontex in Warsaw, described the number as staggering. Frontex wants the Mediterranean to be better patrolled so immigrant boats can be detected before getting into danger.
The Finnish Interior Ministry’s Border Guard Department is ready to offer its support to Frontex. The department’s deputy chief Arto Niemenkari revealed they are currently working out the costs of helping Frontex and Italy prevent these sea accidents.
Niemenkari said Finland could deploy a Dornier aircraft in the Mediterranean region for a couple of months as well as send two fast patrol boats. He also revealed the border control department has discussed training sea rescue personnel with Frontex.
He pointed out that it costs a lot of money to send equipment to the region, but said if Frontex can help with the funding, they should be able to come up with the type of package mentioned. He added that around 20 Finns would be part of the support mission.