The Economist asks, external why migrants crossing the Mediterranean are "dying this year at an unprecedented rate" - and what can be done.

It says: "The European Union's response so far has been remarkably languid. The latest disaster may at last spur it into action."

Richard Galpin
BBC World Affairs correspondent

says: "A European Commission official confirmed to me that one idea which has been suggested as they draw up plans for a new comprehensive migration policy is to set up camps in North Africa where migrants can be assessed to see if they have a legitimate claim for asylum.

"At the moment all this is done in EU countries after the migrants arrive from North Africa.

"The official said several EU member states had suggested this but there had been no decision on it so far."

The Telegraph has written about the hunt for the people-trafficking gangs, external who are responsible for sending people across the Mediterranean - and often to their deaths.

Italy's Ansa news agency reports that 22 of the survivors are now on board the Portuguese merchant ship King Jacob that was in the area when the boat capsized (See 15:34 entry).

Another six survivors are on Italy's Gregoretti coastguard ship, a Navy vessel, and a merchant boat.

BBC's Tom Donkin

tweets, external: "Hard to verify but if we add victims from last night to those who died since the start of 2015 - total is around 1,600."

Laurens Jolles, UNHCR's representative for Southern Europe, tells APTN television that the current EU border patrol operation is insufficient.

"The [Italian] coastguard with this small capacity that they have are doing whatever they can to rescue lives, going very very close to Libya, if necessary, and working non-stop day and night," he says.

"But it is clear that they need help... there has to be something else put in place in the European context and that really needs to happen."

Elsewhere in the media, the Guardian has an analysis piece on what it calls Europe's worsening migrant crisis, external.

Richard Galpin
BBC World Affairs correspondent

says: "It is estimated 1,500 migrants have died already this year making the crossing from North Africa to the shores of Europe - most of them drowning over the past week.

"The warmer weather is encouraging much larger numbers to take to the sea."

Katya Adler
BBC Europe editor

tweets:, external "After accusations of complacency, the #EU Commission is rushing out press releases on the migrant tragedy in the #Mediterranean."

Image source, AP

This is an image taken earlier this week of the King Jacob Portuguese cargo vessel, the first ship to arrive near the migrant boat before it capsized.

The Sicilian writer Andrea Camilleri - author of the popular Montalbano detective novels - tweets (in Italian): , external"Right now, we don't need the populism of Beppe Grillo, Giorgia Meloni and Matteo Salvini, but the help of the EU."

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini says the EU must tackle such tragedies without delay.

"We need to save human lives all together, as all together we need to protect our borders and to fight the trafficking of human beings.

"Every single day, we have the duty to save human lives, sharing among all the 28 this duty and a responsibility that for too long has been left only to the southern countries."

The leader of Italy's anti-immigrant Northern League party, Matteo Salvini, calls for a naval blockade of the coast of Libya.

Mr Salvini writes on his Facebook page:, external "The friends of Mare Nostrum have blood on their hands... [We need] an immediate naval blockade of the Libyan coast!"

These are the first images to be published of the search and rescue operation, and were released by Italy's coastguard service.

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

Here is the latest information we have so far. At least 650 migrants are feared to have drowned after their boat capsized off the coast of Libya, with some reports saying about 50 people have been rescued.

Federica Mogherini, EU foreign policy chief, said the spate of migrant boat sinkings was "unacceptable".

She said: "We have said too many times 'never again'. Now is time for the European Union as such to tackle these tragedies without delay."

Image source, AP

Image source, AP

Even though the search and rescue operation is taking place some 17 miles (27 kilometres) from Libya's coastline, Italy's coastguard is co-ordinating the efforts from its headquarters in Rome. Maltese and Italian ships, as well as merchant vessels, are also taking part in the search effort.

More on the emergency meeting of ministers called by the European Union. The European Commission said foreign and interior ministers would be involved. A date is yet to be set for the meeting.

It said in a statement: "The reality is stark and our actions must therefore be bold. These are human lives at stake, and the European Union as a whole has a moral and humanitarian obligation to act."

The BBC's James Reynolds reported this week on the plight of migrants making highly-dangerous journeys to Italy. You can see his report here.

Mark Micallef, chief journalist at the Times of Malta

tweets, external: "Just for the record today's #migrant tragedy will be the worst tragedy at sea since WWII. #NoMoreDeathInTheMed."