Thousands of migrants rescued from Med in past few days

In the past few days, nearly 6,000 migrants trying to reach Europe have been rescued from flimsy craft in the Mediterranean.

On Wednesday morning, the Italian navy said at least seven more people had drowned and more than 500 had to be pulled to safety.

Charities say the sea-crossing between Libya and Italy is now the main route for migrants - after an EU deal with Turkey curbed the number sailing across the Aegean to Greece.

James Reynolds reports from Rome.