More than 500 illegal immigrants have reached the southern Italian island of Lampedusa over the past two days, part of the growing tide of migrants making the risky voyage from Africa.
More than 250 arrived today alone, including one group in a boat crammed with about 150 people.
The number of migrants undertaking the journey usually spikes in the summer when the seas are calmer and the weather warm.
Lampedusa, which is closer to the coast of Africa than to mainland Italy, is one of the main transit points for migrants from Africa hoping to make it to Europe in search of a better life.
Many risk their lives in overcrowded and flimsy vessels to reach the island.
Two migrants died yesterday when their vessel collided with a fishing boat off the Libyan coast and at least four died last week when two boats sank off Lampedusa.
