GETTY The Italian mayor's comments have caused outrage

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More than 420,000 migrants and refugees from Syria and other countries have landed in Italy since the start of 2014. Many have had hopes of reaching richer northern European nations thwarted by a border crackdown, leading to overcrowding in Italian transit centres and camps. Italy is one of the first destinations along migrants typical routes for months, receiving thousands of new arrivals who continue to risk their lives to cross the Mediterranean on rickety smugglers' boats.

REUTERS A group of migrants march into Europe

We will build a pool with plenty of chlorine to wash the refugees Nicola Pettenuzzo, vice mayor of San Giorgio in Bosco

But many have been critical of the welcoming of so many asylum seekers, including Nicola Pettenuzzo, vice mayor of San Giorgio in Bosco, and part of Lega Nord, who launched a scathing attack on the migrant community. He said: “We will build a pool with plenty of chlorine to wash the refugees".

REUTERS ore than 420,000 migrants and refugees from Syria and other countries have landed in Italy

The hardships of migrant life Thu, March 10, 2016 The hardships and heart-wrenching pictures of migrant life across the globe, including Greek-Macedonian border conditions and Calais migrant conditions. Play slideshow Getty 1 of 53 The hardships of migrant life

The committee ‘No Xenophobia’ of Padua, hit back and called for Rome to “take distance from this statement and apologises to immigrants and to the many volunteers engaged daily in the welcoming process". They told local newspaper, Padova Oggi: “’Refugees', as they call them, are migrants who flee from wars and famine.

REUTERS Italy is one of the first destinations along migrants typical routes