The European Commission is proposing a Mediterranean-wide search and rescue mission by the European Union to intercept migrant boats, the BBC is reporting.

It is believed that the move, by Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom was prompted by the Lampedusa migrant boat tragedy, which killed more than 230 people.

Ms Malmstrom is expected to present a plan to EU ministers today. The plan calls for an operation by the Frontex border agency "from Cyprus to Spain", her spokesman told the BBC.

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