Humanitarian organisations have expressed concern over the Italian authorities’ decision to declare Lampedusa an unsafe port.

Last Monday, the Italian government said newly intercepted or rescued migrants would be taken to Sicily instead. The decision was taken following violent disturbances which saw Tunisian migrants set fire to and damage the island’s reception centre and other buildings.

The UN refugee agency, the International Organisation for Migration, and Save the Children, said the decision could undermine the entire rescue at sea system for migrants and asylum seekers, while potentially making rescue operations much more hazardous and complex.

The organisations said that since it was no longer possible to dock in Lampedusa, the ability of the Coast Guard and the Guardia di Finanza, Italy’s sea border patrol, to carry out rescue at sea would be compromised by the distance they would have to travel to the next safe port, such as Porto Empedocle, 120 miles away.

They said that despite understanding the pressure the island had recently been under, it was hoped that the Lampedusa centre would be re-established as soon as possible to allow for the reception and swift transition of migrants.

The organisations also expressed concern over the recent detention of migrants on ships.

UNHCR, IOM and Save the Children said they hoped this practice would not continue and that the authorities would find appropriate solutions as soon as possible in line with existing provisions in Italian and international law.

Malta and Italy have often had differences over the final destination of African migrants rescued at sea.