An analysis of recent rescue operations and reception procedures for migrants in Italy.

One of the 49 migrants who were taken to Albania early on Tuesday by the Italian Navy's Cassiopea patrol vessel to undergo fast-track border procedures could be taken back to Italy after his condition was deemed to be incompatible with detention in the country,

An Italian navy ship approaches the port, as Italy sends 49 more migrants to Albania for processing following earlier court rejections, in Shengjin, northwestern Albania, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (AP

The Italian Navy patrol vessel Cassiopea, carrying 49 migrants rescued over the weekend in international waters south of Lampedusa, has landed at the Albanian port of Shengjin. The ship entered the port at 7:30 am,

The Italian government's latest attempt to establish functional migrant camps in Albania saw asylum seekers loaded onto the navy vessel Cassiopea off Lampedusa on Sunday. The Cassiopea was expected to reach the port of Shengjin on Monday evening or Tuesday morning, despite ongoing legal challenges, reported the Associated Press.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s first attempt to have asylum seekers held for assessment overseas was immediately blocked by judges. Now another is underway.

The attempt at processing at special centres in Albania follows two previous failures in October and November.

An aerial photograph taken by a drone shows migrants escorted by Italian police going for processing following earlier court rejections, in the port of Shengjin, northwestern Albania, Tuesday, Jan. 28,

Italy brought 49 migrants to Albania on Tuesday. An Italian navy ship brought the people to the port of Shengjin. Their asylum applications are to be decided there. Italy is the first EU country to set up camps for asylum seekers outside the EU.

An Italian navy ship has dropped off 49 migrants in Albania after intercepting them in international waters, in the third attempt to carry out a contentious plan to relocate migrants to be processed under a deal between the two countries.

Despite the Italian migrant centres in Albania officially opening in October, the facilities have lain empty over a legal dispute. Migrants are now once again being sent there, though the project remains a source of controversy as well as hope for local communities.