![[File photo] Migrants are escorted by Italian navy officers after being rescued off Lampedusa on October 25, 2013.](http://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/140402145144-lampedusa-migrants-story-top.jpg)
![[File photo] Migrants are escorted by Italian navy officers after being rescued off Lampedusa on October 25, 2013.](http://www.cnn.com//cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/140402145144-lampedusa-migrants-story-top.jpg)
Story highlights
- Italy has seen a series of tragedies as migrants cross from North Africa
- In October, more than 300 African migrants died in Lampedusa
- Hundreds more have been rescued from often unseaworthy vessels
About 30 bodies were found in a migrant boat rescued early Monday between Sicily and the North African coast, the Italian navy said.
Italian media reported the boat had 600 people onboard.
Italy has seen a series of tragedies as migrants in crowded boats cross from North Africa to Europe.
Migrants rescued off Italian coast 01:14
In October, Lampedusa made international headlines when more than 300 African migrants died when their ship sank off its shores.
As the closest Italian island to Africa, Lampedusa is a frequent destination for refugees seeking to enter European Union countries. Many of the migrants are from African nations while others have fled war-torn Syria.
Hundreds more have been rescued from often unseaworthy vessels and taken to the tiny Mediterranean island's overcrowded detention center.
