Italy Increases Sea and Air Patrols After Recent Deaths of Migrants in the Mediterranean

Hundreds have died near the island of Lampedusa

Italy is stepping up sea and air patrols following the deaths of hundreds of migrants sailing in overcrowded boats from North Africa.

Prime Minister Enrico Letta said an "air and naval package" would start on Monday south of Sicily.

On Friday at least 33 people died when their boat capsized between Malta and the Italian island of Lampedusa.

A week earlier, more than 350 migrants died in another shipwreck off Lampedusa.