The Italian navy said Wednesday it was busy rescuing about 1,000 migrants from six vessels that were spotted trying to cross the Mediterranean. In a statement, Italian authorities said 228 men were picked up from two rubber dinghies that were at risk of sinking, while rescue operations for other migrants were still ongoing. According to dpa, tens of thousands of people from Africa, the Middle East and Asia set off across the Mediterranean each year, searching for a better life in the European Union after fleeing conflict or poverty. Italy is a key transit country for them.
