Lampedusa, which is closer to North Africa than to Italy’s mainland, is the first point of access for thousands of Libyan migrant smugglers, who profit from desperate refugees as they attempt to cross the Mediterranean on overcrowded dinghies and boats.

The Interior Ministry has recorded a sustained increase in daily migrant and refugee arrivals throughout July, breaking records from previous years.

Over 30,000 refugees have reached Italy thus far in 2022, compared with 22,700 for the same period in 2021, and 7500 in 2020.

The initial relocation was the first of many to come and authorities stated that refugees would be moved to another processing centre in Sicily, before being housed in another facility elsewhere in the country.

The transfers are due to continue on Sunday.

The former mayor of Lampedusa, Giusi Nicolini, posted videos and photos of the centre, taken in recent days. 

Images posted by the former mayor of Lampedusa, Giusi Nicolini

The content showed refugees sleeping on the floor, on filthy pieces of foam, as well as uncleaned bathrooms full of plastic bottles and rubbish.

“There are 2100 people packed in Lampedusa’s welcome centre,” she tweeted.

“There are also pregnant women, children, sick and vulnerable people sleeping on the ground, surrounded by rubbish.

“The facility only has enough beds for 200 people.

“We would assume that these photos had been taken in Libya, but no - it’s Italy.”

Right-wing political figures were quick to pounce on the issue, blaming the left-wing political parties for being too soft on migration policies.

Giorgia Meloni, who forms part of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, tweeted in response:

“And this is the left’s famous humanitarian model?

“Saying no to mass illegal immigration also means saying no to this.”