NDM 26

The role of social media in Europe's migrant crisis

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The pages claim to be able to offer Syrian refugees a "safe passage" from Turkey to Italy on board a ship leaving later this month. On one Facebook page, smugglers say an 85-metre vessel will leave the Turkish city of Izmir on 20 January. The post says that refugees can buy a place on a four-day trip to Italy for $5,500 USD. Most of the pages are targeted at Syrians living in Turkey - most of whom have recently fled their homeland after nearly four years of civil war. A record 150,000 refugees arrived in Italy on boats in 2014, according data released by Italy's interior ministry, and the number is likely to rise this year. Most of the pages give out phone numbers and say refugees can call to book tickets. Places on board the ships are advertised for between $5,000-6,000 USD. Children are offered free travel, and the site promises accommodation while refugees wait for the date of departure.