Refugee crisis: 4,343 refugees rescued on the Mediterranean, in a single day

The Italian coast guard managed to rescue thousands in 20 separate operations as Croatia closes its borders.

Around 4,700 migrants were rescued in different operation on Mediterranean (EPA/Italian Coast Guard)

On Saturday 4,343 refugees crossing the Mediterranean were picked up by the Italian coast guard yesterday, as the numbers of people attempting to cross the sea increase.

In the 20 separate operations were conducted by the Italian coast guard and navy, Humanitarian agencies Migrant off-shore Aid station and Doctors without Borders, naval ships from Germany and Britain and even a few merchant vessels.

Though some vessels were not so lucky, 26 refugees are feared missing after a dinghy sank off the Greek island of Lesbos. Another 13 people have died off the coast of Turkey after their dingy collided with a ferry , 6 of the victims were children.

Refugee's travelling by land have faced similar dangers this weekend, particularly at the Serbian border with Croatia. Thousands of people were seen struggling to board trains to an undisclosed location with families being separated, following being stranded after Croatia closed its borders with Serbia on Friday.

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