Updated 10.25 a.m. Friday

The Italian Navy has rescued 823 migrants from several boats in an operation which started yesterday evening and continued through the night. Another 233 were rescued yesterday morning.

There were conflicting reports on the number of boats intercepted late yesterday, ranging from four to nine.

They were spotted south of the island of Lampedusa outside Malta's search and rescue region.

The Maltese armed forces were involved in the operation, with a Maltese King Air aircraft having spotted two of the boats.

Several units of the Italian Navy are involved in Operation Mare Nostrum, with a patrol line south of Lampedusa, close to Libyan waters.

Another boat with 233 migrants on board was intercepted yesterday morning. The migrants were taken to Syracuse.

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