The Italian government aims to launch new migration rules, including changes to deportation timelines, after thousands of migrants have landed on the small island of Lampedusa, overloading the reception centre.

Over 1,000 people were reported to be present at the temporary facility pending onward transfer to reception centres in other parts of Italy amid delays due to lack of availability of transportation services.

Over 100 people were said to have left the structure independently and are now being sought by police.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited the Italian island of Lampedusa.

She arrived with the Italian Prime Minister, who’d invited her to see the unprecedented number of refugees and migrants arriving from Africa.

Aljazeera/Agencies.