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10,000 migrants rescued from Mediterranean in just four days

Nearly 10,000 migrants have been rescued from boats travelling across the Mediterranean to Italy in the past four days alone, the Italian Coast Guard has revealed.

Official estimates suggesting at least 31,500 migrants have entered Italy and Greece since the start of the year as increasing governmental instability and violence in Africa has prompted a surge in numbers fleeing to Europe.

Another 900 are believed to have drowned on the crossing, including 400 people aboard a boat which capsized on Monday.

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All EU states 'must help to deal with migrants'

It is the duty of EU member states to help deal with the thousands of migrants pouring across the Mediterranean, the commissioner for migration said.

Dimitris Avramopoulos said that while the EU is developing the policies, the member states and their resources must implement them.

EU states 'must help to deal with migrants' Credit: APTN

"Europe is accomplishing its duty, it's up to the member states to implement it," he said, referring to a new EU policy to be presented in May.

He urged member states to show solidarity with those bearing the brunt of the arrivals.

His comments come as some 10,000 migrants have been rescued making the perilous crossing to Europe in the past week.

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10,000 migrants rescued from Mediterranean in just four days

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