Italy rescues 4,400 migrants off the coast of Libya in just two days

The Italian Coast Guard said on Monday that they have organised the rescue of 4,400 illegal immigrants from 29 boats off the Libyan coast over the last two days.

On Sunday, the Coast Guard rescued 21 boats carrying illegal immigrants and saved 1,500 migrants. A further 2,900 were rescued from 8 boats on Monday.

British, Irish, Italian, Swedish and Spanish ships took part in the rescue operations.

According to figures compiled by the International Organisation for Migration ( IOM), the new figures have pushed up the number of illegal immigrants arriving in Italy to a new record of more than 69,000 since the beginning of the year.