The EU must “crack down” on the smuggling to member states, according to European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen.
Ms Von der Leyen met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Miloni following demands the EU assist with the “surge” in immigrants there.
Ms Miloni told Ms Von der Leyen more than 11,000 people arrived on Italy's southernmost island of Lampedusa in less than a week, overwhelming the authorities and sparking protests by residents.
A newborn baby was also found dead on a migrant boat, believed to be brought to Italy by smugglers.
Ms Von der Leyen said smugglers earn “billions” bringing refugees to Europe.
“They earn billions and billions by telling people lies, luring them here, putting them on these not seaworthy boats,” she said.
“We have to crack down on the smuggler business, and it is possible because it is organised crime.”
She said “irregular immigration is a European problem” and therefore requires a “European solution”.
“Prime Minister Meloni and I are here today to offer a coordinated response by the Italian and European authorities,” she said.
Italian PM Giorgia Miloni showing European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen a migrant centre in Lampedusa, 17/09/2023. Image: Associated Press / Alamy Stock PhotoMs Meloni has previously called for a naval blockade of North Africa to stop the boats from getting through.
Nearly 126,000 migrants are reported to have arrived in Italy this year, almost double the figure by the same date in 2022.
Lampedusa - closer to Africa than the Italian mainland - has recently borne the brunt of crossings from Tunisia, which has replaced Libya as the main migrant smuggling base.
Additional reporting by IRN.
