About 730 migrants were rescued off the Libyan coast on Wednesday after seven rescue operations mounted by the Italian coast guard and the SOS Mediterranee aid group.
The migrants were mainly from sub-Saharan Africa, said the coast guard, which is coordinating rescue operations in the central Mediterranean.
SOS Mediterranee, which operates in the region. said its ship Aquarius had recovered 394 people, including a group of 75 Bangladeshis.
Also read: Indian doctor abducted by ISIS in Libya rescued
In the absence of an army or a regular police force in Libya, several militias act as coast guards but are often accused themselves of complicity or even involvement in the people-smuggling business.
The number of attempted crossings to Italy has surged this year, with most departures taking place from the west of Libya, from where Italy is just 300 kilometres (190 miles) away.
Europeans are considering measures aimed at blocking the arrival of thousands of migrants, alarming NGOs which fear that those stranded in Libya may suffer mistreatment.
Also Read
-
More than 1,750 rescued as Italy, Libya sign deal
Italian PM Paolo Gentiloni and his Libyan counterpart signed a deal in Rome on tackling people smugglers in the North African country Middle East -
1,400 saved in med as Italy sees record migrant arrivals
Rescuers saved some 1,400 migrants off the coast of Libya on Monday as Italy announced a record number of people arriving this year North Africa -
UN: 235,000 migrants ready to head to Italy
Migrants in Libya are ready to make the crossing to Italy as soon as the opportunity arises Middle East -
Will Italy send troops to Libya once its government is established?
Italy’s recent decision not to send troops to Libya is only “transitional,” the former Defense Minister tells Al Arabiya English Features
