About 1000 North African migrants on a dozen boats have reached the Italian island of Lampedusa.
Others have been sighted approaching the island, off the coast of Tunisia.
Most of the migrants are said to come from Tunisia amid turmoil there and in neighbouring Libya, the BBC reports.
Several thousands have arrived on the Sicilian island since mid-February.
Italy has sought European Union help as it copes with the influx amid fears of a larger exodus from North African countries.
