The Italian Navy has said it rescued more than 2700 illegal immigrants last weekend.
The Navy said on its twitter feed that it rescued migrants on several boats. In one rescue mission the Navy said it rescued 1300 people. Those illegal immigrants were first taken to Sishiliya Island then to Taranto.
Among other immigrants saved were women and children who were very weak due to the long journey they endured. These included Eritreans, Ethiopians and Somalis, according to the Italians. Elsewhere, twenty illegal immigrants were confirmed dead after drowning, while the whereabouts of dozens of others are unknown.
