New proposals to tackle the migration crisis in the Mediterranean include destroying smugglers' boats and a new programme to send migrants home, the European Commission said today.

The plan put forward by the Commission also calls for the reinforcing of EU border control operations in the Mediterranean with more money and equipment and extending its operational area.

It proposes a "systematic effort to capture and destroy vessels used by smugglers" and set up a new programme for the rapid return of migrants.

EU Commissioner for Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos also said the Commission will propose a pilot programme to share resettlement of migrants across the 28-member bloc.

The plans were announced after a joint meeting of foreign and home affairs ministers. The EU will hold a summit meeting on Thursday following the death of some 900 migrants in the Mediterranean on Saturday-Sunday night.

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