Thousands of migrants rescued from smugglers' boats off the Libyan coast

The coast guard launched 17 rescue operations

A total of 3,690 migrants have been rescued from smugglers' boats, as a series of rescue operations were mounted off the Libyan coast.

The Italian coast guard launched 17 rescue missions after smugglers took advantage of calm seas and warm weather to move migrants out of Africa on motorized rubber dinghies and fishing boats.

Some of those rescued were taken to ports in Sicily while others are expected to reach Calabria, in the south of the Italian mainland, on Monday.

Temporary shelters had been erected on Sicily for the displaced, but these are now reaching full capacity.

The principal risk to the migrants was not from the weather, but from an ageing or poorly maintained vessel, which could have failed to complete the crossing.

The relentless flood of migrants is continuing this year after 170,000 were rescued at sea by Italy in 2014 — a 277 per cent increase over the numbers in 2013.

Italy coordinates rescue operations in the region - often pressing nearby cargo ships into service.

The Italian government has pressured the European Union to do more to help the migrants, especially since many of those plucked to safety are asylum seekers hoping to reach relatives in northern Europe.

An estimated 800 migrants drowned last month when their boat capsized off Libya with hundreds of them locked in the hold by smugglers.

After that, European Union officials at an emergency meeting agreed to beef up the Triton rescue mission with boats and patrol aircraft contributed by several countries.

AP