(VOVworld) - The number of illegal immigrants who arrived in Italy this year was 18.21% more than last year - 180,000 people - the Italian Interior Ministry reported yesterday. 

Migrants in a ship to Messina port (Source: AFP/VNA)

That number includes 25,000 unaccompanied minors arriving since the start of 2016. According to the Ministry, 7,000 people arrive in Italy each month, most of them through southern ports. Most were from African countries including: Nigeria, Eritrea, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Sudan, Bangladesh, and Somalia. The Interior Ministry said Italy has become the first destination of migration routes. 2,600 Italian cities now have approximately 200,000 illegal immigrants. The Ministry wants to increase the number of reception centers and the number of cities harboring migrants.