This morning, February 19th, 2009, in Lampedusa, the southern island of Europe, a revolt started in the “Centre for identification and expulsion”, following the hunger strike of 300 detainees from Tunisia. The detention center hosts more than 800 migrants, mostly from Tunisia. The fire destroyed most of the building and the police had to fight the revolt with extra smoke (teargas), it is yet unknown the number of people harmed.

The mayor of the city Bernardino De Rubeis has released a declaration against the Italian government, quoting his own words: “Guilty is the Government which transformed this center in a Lager, the migrants are desperate.”

The revolt seem to have exploded as 107 Tunisian migrants were to be deported back to their country, proceeding to a first transfer in Roma.

Watch video reporting on the revolt on C6.tv