Refugees being moved to mainland in Italy

LAMPEDUSA, Italy, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Thousands of immigrants authorities say they believe are from sub-Saharan Africa are arriving in Italy.

Lampedusa, an island off of Italy's southern coast, has received 2,600 refugees, who are arriving by boat, since the weekend, ANSA reported.

Boats are taking the refugees to immigrant reception centers in mainland cities such as Taranto, where more than 600 refugees were taken and Campobasso, which has received 200.

Another 102 immigrants were transferred Wednesday from Lampedusa to Cagliari, a coastal town.

ANSA reported that more that 50,000 undocumented refugees have ended up Italy since the beginning of the year to escape violent conflicts in Tunisia and Libya.