The Kurds, who had traveled on an unlisted fishing vessel, said they had begun their voyage at a small port in Turkey a week ago, according to the Ansa news agency.

Most of the immigrants were young men in good physical condition. Police and military arrested the immigrants once they were already on land.

Italy's southern shores, especially the islands of Sicily and Lampedusa, are popular destinations for illegal immigrants, who most often arrive by ship from north Africa, just a few dozen kilometres (miles) away.

These crossings are not without danger. This week, at least 19 would-be immigrants to Italy drowned in the waters between Tunisia and Sicily.

Last year, Moroccans made up the largest group of illegal immigrants trying to come to Italy, followed by Egyptians, Eritreans and Tunisians.