Italian government released a statement that it rescued more than 700 people in the last two days from boats carrying migrants and refugees.

According to CEOAFRICA.com findings from sources, people onboard the boats include those from Nigeria, Eritrea, Egypt, Syria and Ghana.

The breakdown shows that more than 207 people were taken to the island of Lampedusa after their rescue by the coast guard and navy. Among them were two women in the late stages of pregnancy.

Also, another boat with 212 people was being towed to Lampedusa. Two other broken-down boats carrying 293 people were taken to Augusta on Sicily's eastern coast.

The increased number of migrants to Italy was triggered by the ongoing violence in Syria and Egypt, with thousands of people trying every time to cross over from North Africa to Italy or Malta in open boats where many have perished during voyage.

Italian officials therefore appeal to other European Union countries to do more in sharing the burden of harboring the migrants.