The rescues come nearly two weeks after a shipwreck off the Calabrian coast killed at least 73 migrants who had departed Turkey. Another 80 were rescued, but more are missing and presumed dead.
ITALY STADIUM FILLED WITH COFFINS OF MIGRANTS AFTER SHIPWRECK KILLS DOZENS
Prosecutors are investigating whether Italian authorities failed to properly respond to the ship signaled by the European border control agency, Frontex. Instead of deploying coast guard boats for a rescue, they sent border enforcement vessels for a law enforcement operation.
Italian authorities reported 3 vessels carrying over 1,300 migrants "in danger" off the nation's southern coast.
Four smugglers have been arrested in the case, including one who was stopped by authorities in Austria.
ITALY SHIPWRECK: COAST GUARD SAYS DOZENS DEAD AFTER MIGRANT CRAFT CRASHES OFF COAST
Italy has strongly rejected any blame for the shipwreck and is adopting new measures to clamp down on smugglers.
Frontex said that crossings in the dangerous central Mediterranean Sea have more than doubled in the first two months of this year, with more than 12,000 irregular crossings. Last month alone, the numbers tripled from a year ago, to 7,000.
The U.N. migration agency estimates some 300 people are dead or missing and presumed dead along the perilous central Mediterranean route this year.