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| Migrants rescued off Malta coast | Migrants rescued off Malta coast |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| About 140 migrants have been rescued from a boat drifting in rough seas off the Maltese coast. | About 140 migrants have been rescued from a boat drifting in rough seas off the Maltese coast. |
| The passengers, including 10 pregnant women, were believed to be on their way to the Italian island of Lampedusa when their boat reportedly ran out of fuel. | The passengers, including 10 pregnant women, were believed to be on their way to the Italian island of Lampedusa when their boat reportedly ran out of fuel. |
| The rescue by the Maltese navy comes amid growing tension between Italy and Libya over illegal migration. | |
| Over the weekend, there was a dramatic increase in the numbers reaching the Italian territory from Libya. | Over the weekend, there was a dramatic increase in the numbers reaching the Italian territory from Libya. |
| Maltese Navy Lieutenant Claudio Signanini said the people on board had no water, food or fuel. | Maltese Navy Lieutenant Claudio Signanini said the people on board had no water, food or fuel. |
| The boat's distress call was picked up by the Italian coastguard in Sicily but the Maltese authorities coordinated the rescue as the boat was closer to Malta, said Mr Signanini. | The boat's distress call was picked up by the Italian coastguard in Sicily but the Maltese authorities coordinated the rescue as the boat was closer to Malta, said Mr Signanini. |
| Italian officials say there has been a sharp rise in the number of illegal migrants coming from Africa this year. | Italian officials say there has been a sharp rise in the number of illegal migrants coming from Africa this year. |
| Last Friday alone, about 1,500 people arrived on Lampedusa, followed by a further 819 on Sunday. | Last Friday alone, about 1,500 people arrived on Lampedusa, followed by a further 819 on Sunday. |
| The authorities say the island's migrant detention centre, built to house 850 people, is under severe pressure. | The authorities say the island's migrant detention centre, built to house 850 people, is under severe pressure. |
| Fleeing war | Fleeing war |
| The Italian interior ministry says more than 24,000 migrants arrived in Italy from January to September, compared to about 14,000 in the same period in 2007. | The Italian interior ministry says more than 24,000 migrants arrived in Italy from January to September, compared to about 14,000 in the same period in 2007. |
| People smugglers charge them about $1,000 (£685; 710 euros) each to make the often stormy crossing in barely-seaworthy vessels, says the BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Rome. | People smugglers charge them about $1,000 (£685; 710 euros) each to make the often stormy crossing in barely-seaworthy vessels, says the BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Rome. |
| Many would-be migrants are fleeing wars or poverty and risk the dangerous Mediterranean crossing to enter Europe from Libya, says our correspondent. | Many would-be migrants are fleeing wars or poverty and risk the dangerous Mediterranean crossing to enter Europe from Libya, says our correspondent. |
| Italy and Libya agreed earlier this year to step up naval patrols to try to reduce the flow of migrants. | Italy and Libya agreed earlier this year to step up naval patrols to try to reduce the flow of migrants. |
| Italy also offered to help Libya improve security on its southern desert frontier. | Italy also offered to help Libya improve security on its southern desert frontier. |