France and Austria have reinforced their border controls over concerns that the many Turkish and Iraqi Kurds arriving in Italy may enter other countries illegally.

An extra 100 police have been drafted in by France to oversee the Vintimilla border with Italy.

Italy under pressure

The move comes as Italy faces growing pressure to take action to stem the tide of Kurdish migrants from Turkey and northern Iraq and stop them entering other parts of the European Union from Italy.

Germany and France are among several countries which have expressed concern after more than 1,200 Kurds arrived in Italy over the past week, with reports of more possibly on their way.

Hundreds of Kurd refugees have arrived in the last few weeks

Italian officials have indicated that many of the new arrivals could be given political asylum.

However, Italian police have arrested two Azerbaijanis whom they suspect of belonging to the crew that abandoned a ship carrying almost 400 illegal immigrants off the southern coast of Italy on Wednesday.

The two men were reported to have been hiding in shelters provided for the mainly Kurdish passengers of the ship.

Kurdish exodus continues

A Kurdish group the Kurdistan National Liberation Front says another ship with about 300 would-be migrants from the Kurdish regions of Turkey and Iraq has set off from Istanbul for western Europe.

Turkish maritime officials have not confirmed the report. But the Turkish government has accused Kurdish separatist groups of running a quasi-slave-trade and of manipulating economic migrants for political goals.

The Foreign Ministry in Ankara says the European Union should join Turkey in taking measures against the smuggling of people.

Greece has also stepped up security in the Aegean to intercept illegal migrants from Turkey and France has said the exodus shows the need for the international community to examine the Kurdish question.
 

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