2,200 more rescued off Italy coast

Italy's coastguard yesterday coordinated the rescue of 2,200 migrants in the Mediterranean after receiving distress calls from more than 20 overcrowded vessels drifting in waters off Libya.

One of the biggest single-day rescue operations to date was ongoing as nightfall approached.

It was unclear how many people remained in danger. Initial estimates had put the total number of people on board the stricken ships at up to 3,000.

Of the 264,500 migrants the United Nations says have crossed the Mediterranean so far this year, close to 104,000 have landed in Italy. Another 160,000 arrived in Greece.

Europe is struggling to cope with record influx of refugees as migrants flee war in Middle Eastern countries such as Syria.

The Mediterranean has become the world's most deadly crossing point for migrants. More than 2,300 people have died this year in attempts to reach Europe by boat, said International Organisation for Migration.