A new boatload of migrants arrived on the Sicilian island of Lampedusa last night, ending a four-day lull in the wave of arriving Tunisians and reviving fears that more North Africans are on their way.

State-run RAI television broadcast images of the small fishing vessel being escorted into Lampedusa's port with an estimated 20 people on board. The coastguard declined to comment on their nationalities.

More than 5,000 Tunisians arrived in Lampedusa following the January 14 ousting of their long-time president and a breakdown in coastal patrols. No migrant boat had arrived in Lampedusa since Sunday because of poor weather and rough seas.

Foreign Minister Franco Frattini warned that the numbers of migrants could swell to 50,000 if Europe does not put together a plan to stimulate North African economies and encourage young people to stay.

Home Affairs Ministers from several EU Mediterranean countries, including Malta, are due to meet in Rome on Wednesday.

The Mayor of Lampedusa, which is closer to Africa than the Italian mainland, warned that the island's vital tourism industry was at risk.

There has already been a decline in tourists seeking information as the island's high season nears, Mayor Bernardino de Rubeis told reporters in Rome.

Lampedusa "must live by tourism because it's its main resource", he said.

Italy has said it needs 100 million euro (£84 million) from EU funds over the next three months to manage the wave of immigrants and has also asked for hands-on help from the EU border agency.

Of the 5,000 Tunisians who have arrived, most have already been moved to immigrant holding centres on Sicily or the Italian mainland. Mr de Rubeis said the 1,800 or so still on the island would be transferred in the coming days.