The navy said one of its frigates was bringing the migrants, who were from Pakistan, Eritrea, Nigeria, Somalia, Zambia and Mali, into a Sicilian port today. They were initially rescued by another naval vessel yesterday night some 130 kilometres south of the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa.
It said the migrants had been spotted in a 10-meter boat without any life vests.
Each year, thousands of African, Asian or Middle Eastern migrants attempt risky voyages across the Mediterranean Sea in unseaworthy boats, and hundreds die en route. Unless they are eligible for asylum or have families or jobs in Europe, they risk expulsion by Italy.