At least 350 migrants from Africa were rescued by Italian authorities off the small island of Lampedusa and were taken to a detention center there for processing Saturday.
Coast guard officials told The Associated Press that 231 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa attempted to get to Europe on a rickety, wooden boat. Another 126 Tunisians on a 33-foot-long dinghy were rescued nearby.
Several ferries began transporting migrants from Lampedusa to Sicily Sunday, AP reported. However, those ineligible for asylum or without secured employment will be deported back to their countries of origin.
Last year, tens of thousands of migrants from Africa attempted to cross the Mediterranean in boats of dubious seaworthiness to get to Lampedusa or other parts of Europe. Some were fleeing violence and political upheavals in North Africa. Reuters points out that the flow of migrants has declined since last year.
Migrants have died in attempts to cross the Mediterranean Sea, some from shipwreck, others from a lack of food and water.
