French president Francois Hollande has called for an emergency meeting of EU ministers following the latest migrant boat disaster in which up to 700 people are feared dead.
The boat capsized between Libya and the Italian island of Lampedusa, after issuing a distress call to a passing cargo ship.
It's less than a week since 400 other migrants drowned while trying to make the crossing from North Africa to Europe.
Today's disaster brings the total number of migrants drowned while trying to get to Europe this year to over one thousand five hundred.
The Maltese President Joseph Muscat has warned that Europe will be harshly judged if it continues to close its eyes to the unfolding tragedy , just as it closed its eyes to genocide in the past.
Italian correspondent with the London Times, Tom Kington, says those on board were close to being rescued when the boat capsized:
