ROME, ITALY (AP) -- The mayor of Rome is ordering an investigation after about two dozen homeless Afghan children were found living around the city.
Italian rail police came upon the teens during routine inspections. Media reports say the ragged and hungry youths had been living in Rome's train stations and under sidewalk grates to keep warm.
The discovery has shocked city officials in the Italian capital. It's also led to renewed demands for improved social services for Rome's growing ranks of immigrants.
The children have been placed with social services agencies.
Afghan migrants often arrive in Italy after stowing away on trucks traveling via ferry from Eastern Europe.
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