Dozens of migrants drown in the Mediterranean after a boat sinks south of Italy's island of Sicily, the Save the Children aid group says.

Nearly 3,700 migrants rescued in several operations in the Mediterranean Sea, Italian coastguard says

EU leaders are due to hold an emergency summit on ways to stem the number of migrants risking the perilous journey across the Mediterranean.

The captain and a crew member of a boat that capsized off Libya on Sunday, killing hundreds of migrants, are arrested, Italian officials say. The two were held on suspicion of people trafficking.

More than 40 people have drowned off Sicily as Italy calls for more help from the EU to handle the surge in migrants crossing the Mediterranean.

About 400 migrants are feared drowned after their boat capsizes off Libya, survivors tell aid group Save the Children. Italian coast guard rescues 144 people and launches air and sea search operation in hopes of rescuing others.