Nearly 700 migrants rescued at sea arrive in Italian port town

Almost 700 migrants and refugees arrived at the Italian port town of Augusta today after being rescued from their perilous boat journey across the Mediterranean Sea.

The migrants, rescued by Italian and Spanish ships, crowded on the deck of the vessel as it approached the Sicilian port, where Red Cross personnel waited to assist them.

Italy’s coastguard said on Saturday more than 2,200 migrants were rescued at sea that day as they tried to reach Europe and 10 bodies were recovered.

The International Organisation for Migration said last week that 4,220 migrants and refugees had died in the Mediterranean this year, the deadliest year to date.