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Migrants From Libya Reach Italy


Migrants disembark from the Italian Navy vessel San Marco as they arrive at the harbour in Taranto , southern Italy, March 27, 2011
Migrants disembark from the Italian Navy vessel San Marco as they arrive at the harbour in Taranto , southern Italy, March 27, 2011

A boat carrying nearly 300 African migrants fleeing the fighting in Libya has arrived in Italy.

Those on board were mostly Eritreans and Ethiopians.

It is believed to be the first boat to cross the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy since the Libyan rebels launched their campaign to oust Moammar Gadhafi, Libya's leader, last month. At least two more boats are reported on their way.

An Ethiopian woman gave birth on the boat before it reached Italian shores. She and her baby were flown by Italian helicopter to a hospital on the island of Lampedusa. Another pregnant woman on board suffered a miscarriage.

Lampedusa, a small island off Italy's southern coast, has been overwhelmed by thousands who have fled Tunisian since January when the government there was overthrown.

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