CEOAFRICA learnt that about 700 migrants have been rescued by Italian and Maltese patrol teams in a series of operations in the Mediterranean Sea.

Earlier this month, Italy began stepping up patrols in the region after a boat filled with migrants sank near Lampedusa, killing at least 359 people. It was one of the deadliest maritime accidents in the Mediterranean.

According to source, the rescues took place late Thursday and Friday after patrols intercepted at least five boats packed with migrants near the Italian island of Lampedusa.

The rescues occurred as European Union leaders at a summit in Brussels grappled with the issue of illegal immigration.

Leaders from the southern European nations that have been most affected by the influx of refugees pressed the EU for emergency action and to share more of the burden of dealing with refugees.

The United Nations refugee agency estimates 32,000 migrants have arrived this year in Italy and Malta.