More than 300 migrants have been rescued south of Lampedusa . As the closest Italian island to Africa , Lampedusa , in the Mediterranean Sea , is a frequent destination for refugees seeking to enter European Union countries , and shipwrecks off its shores are common . The migrants were in small boats trying to reach the Italian island . 200 others were rescued the day before .
More than 300 migrants have been rescued south of Lampedusa . The migrants were in small boats trying to reach the Italian island . 200 others were rescued the day before .