The Italian coastguard reported that it has rescued 1,850 migrants in 8 separate operations in the strait of Sicily as the number of boats that are starting their journey from Libya is increasing.
A coastguard boat intercepted two boats with a total of 740 people on board, while a navy ship helped out several boats carrying 255 people, the report stated, according to Tanjug.
A cargo ship also changed course in order to help a group of 117 migrants, while an EU navy ship rescued 738 people from 3 boats.
According to UNHCR, since the start of the year until the end of March, 17,500 people arrived in Italy.
Two weeks ago, nearly 1,600 migrants were rescued in the same area, which sparked fears that a lot of migrants will take the same route now that the sea has calmed down with the arrival of spring.