Italy's navy and coast guard have rescued around 1,500 migrants from the Mediterranean - all in less than 24 hours.

They were found on five boats yesterday, in five separate operations.

Three vessels had sent rescue requests via satellite phones, after getting into trouble off Libya's coast.

Two further boats were spotted by rescuers while travelling to the vessels in trouble. 

Reuters reports that the immigrants have all been taken to Lampedusa or ports in Sicily.

It is estimated that around 200,000 made the perilous crossing to Europe last year, and it is believed that more than 3,000 people perished trying to reach the continent.