File: Migrants arrive at the Lampedusa harbor after a rescue operation by Italian coast guards at sea, off the coast of Libya. Photo: Guardia Costeria

The Italian Coast Guard said 1,153 migrants were rescued on Monday in the stretch of water between Sicily and North Africa.

The guard said in a statement in Rome that the Italian, Irish and German navies, as well as private rescue vessels run by the Doctors Without Borders and SOS Mediterranean Charities carried out 11 separate rescues.

According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), no fewer than 31,500 migrants have arrived in Italy since the start of the year.

It noted that with the onset of warmer weather, landings are increasing in frequency.

The IOM said there were more than 2,600 arrivals between May 5 and May 12, up by 68 per cent compared to the previous seven days.

(dpa/NAN)