700 migrants rescued off Sicily

More than 700 migrants have been rescued from waters near Sicily in less than 24 hours, according to the Italian coastguard.

The stream of smugglers’ boats aiming for European shores continues despite renewed pledges by European leaders to manage illegal migration.

The coastguard said it received satellite phone requests to aid five boats crowded with 705 migrants near Sicily.

All were rescued except for one migrant who reportedly fell into the sea during rescue operations by a Maltese cargo ship. The coastguard says a search was launched.

Thousands of migrants try to reach Italian shores by sea each year. Some 365 drowned in an October 3 capsizing near Lampedusa, an Italian island.