Eight hundred sixteen migrants were rescued from the Mediterranean Sea. They were pulled out of unsafe rubber dinghies and wooden boats after departing from the Libyan coast.
They were brought to Italy with the help of NGO rescue groups. The migrants came from 25 countries including Syria, Sudan, Egypt, and Mali. They were all hoping their journey would land them in Europe.
There has been a recent spike in the number of migrants in the region. An looming increase in the Libyan coast guard presence could be a reason. The good weather also allows migrants to more easily reach the improved conditions they seek in Europe.