Italy's coast guard rescues 4000 migrants from the Mediterranean sea

Italy: Italy's coast guard and navy said they have rescued more than 4000 migrants from the Mediterranean sea adding that about 3400 migrants aboard 28 rafts and six boats were rescued in operations organized by the coast guard on Friday.

The Italian coast guard was supported by a British vessel positioned as part of the European Union's Eunavfor Med, an Irish-flagged ship and craft operated by the NGOs MOAS, SOS Mediterranee, Jugend Rettet, Sea Watch and Sea Eye.

Another more than 600 migrants were rescued in the Sicilian Channel of the Mediterranean sea in an effort led by the Italian navy ships Margottini, Grecale and Bettica.

Also another 137 migrants rescued on Thursday by coast guard units were taken to the port of Lampedusa on Friday.