A photograph of a drowned migrant baby in the arms of a German rescuer was distributed yesterday by a humanitarian organisation. 

Italy’s coast guard and navy joined forces with tugs and other commercial vessels to rescue migrants in at least 16 boats yesterday, saving hundreds and recovering 10 bodies as smugglers took advantage of calm seas to send packed vessels across the Mediterranean.

A ship carrying African migrants to Europe has caught fire and capsized off the southern Italian island of Lampedusa, killing at least 114 people, including two pregnant women, with 150 still missing.

The Italian government is being urged to send in the army to help fight the ’ndrangheta mob in the wake of fresh threats against the state.

A special committee responding to the discovery of the deadly H5N1 virus in swans in southern Italy warned today that people should not touch sick or dead wild birds, but should seek professional help.