NEW : Sicily 's coast guard rescues 233 migrants in a separate operation . The Italian navy rescues 85 migrants from an overcrowded boat in high seas . The migrants are being taken to a port on the Italian island of Greece , the navy says . Tens of thousands embark on the risky crossing each year in the hope of reaching EU soil .
NEW : Greece 's coast guard rescues 85 migrants in a separate operation . The Italian navy rescues 233 migrants from an overcrowded boat in high seas . The migrants are being taken to a port on the Italian island of Sicily , the navy says . Tens of thousands embark on the risky crossing each year in the hope of reaching EU soil .