Italy has been rescuing migrants stranded at sea — but they don’t want to pay for it

Thousands of migrants take the treacherous journey from Africa to Europe every year, with the aim of making landfall in Italy.

Many migrants make the journey by loading themselves into crowded and unsafe boats that are unlikely to make the long trip from North Africa to Italy. Some end up stranded at sea for days, and an estimated 3000 people have died while making the journey across the Mediterranean Sea just this year.

Last year, a crowded boat heading to Italy sank near the island of Lampedusa killing more than 300 people. After that tragedy, the Italian government began "Mare Nostrum," where it would rescue immigrants stuck at sea.

"This operation, which falls entirely under Italian responsibility, has rescued some 150,000 people from its onset, which is a good thing by itself," says Patrizio Nissirio, reporter with ANSAmed, an Italian news service focused on the Mediterranean region.

But Italy says it can't afford the rescues any more.

"It's very costly and it puts the Italian Navy under tremendous pressure," Nissirio says.

At the same time, the Italian government has been arguing that the immigration situation in the Mediterranean isn't just an Italian issue. According to Nissirio, many of the immigrants don't want to stay in Italy; they're using it as a way station. They travel across Europe, ending up in France, the UK, Spain or other places.

Italy argues the migration crisis is a European Union problem and therefore other members should help cover the costs. Those countries, however, are reluctant.

"The British government has decided to stop all support to the operation in a decision that I think is wrong," says Nissirio.

The European Council on Refugees called the UK's decision "morally shocking." The UK argues that if Europe continues to rescue immigrants stuck at sea, it encourages other immigrants to make the journey.

Nissirio disagrees.

"These people will come whether we decide to announce whether we are going to rescue them or not. How desperate do you need to be to embark on these very unsafe boats in the hands of human traffickers paying sometimes $3000?" he asks.

Nissirio says with no end in sight for the war in Syria, Italy, and the Mediterranean countries in general, will see more and more refugees heading to their shores.

"These people will flee the war. It's their right and it's probably what anyone would do," he says.