In other rescues, a Libyan navy spokesman said a total of 766 migrants were rescued by the Libyan coastguard on yesterday. The navy was able to rescue not only the people on deck, but also those inside the ship, who are at higher risk of drowning as they can’t escape the capsized boat.
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Some 90 people were rescued in the operation, which was carried out by a Spanish ship, and two vessels from Italy’s coast guard.
The navy said 500 people had been pulled to safety and seven bodies recovered.
As journalists enquired, the Bettica had already responded to another call for help and is in the process of rescuing 108 migrants from a large rubber boat, the Navy said.
The Italian coastguard said it helped save 4,000 migrants today, in 22 operations. According to Save the Children, the number of unaccompanied children has almost tripled compared to the same period past year.
Aid agencies say the crossing between Libya and Italy is the main route for migrants since a recent European Union deal with Turkey curbed the number sailing across the Aegean to Greece.
Nicastro said 88 people had been rescued from the capsized wooden boat.
Some 650 migrants and the five dead bodies picked up by the Italian navy docked at the Sicilian city of Porto Empedocle, where they will receive food and clothing.
On Wednesday, an Italian coast guard vessel dropped off 1,053 migrants in Palermo, Sicily, including 260 unaccompanied minors, after rescuing them from 13 vessels.
At least 1,370 migrants have died so far this year trying to make the boat journey to Europe, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The latest arrivals bring the number of people rescued and transferred to Italy since the start of the year to almost 40,000, following the rescue of more than 6,000 since Monday, according to figures collated by United Nations refugee agency UNHCR and the coast guard.
More than 40,000 people have been intercepted in the Mediterranean and taken to Italian ports so far this year.
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Almost 6,000 migrants trying to reach Europe illegally have been rescued from flimsy craft in the Mediterranean in recent days.
