At least 2,300 migrants were rescued off the coast of Italy over the two days of Christmas.
The Italian navy had to launch several rescue operations late on Christmas Day, mostly to assist boats adrift in the sea off Sicily.
They managed to save at least 1,300 migrants, including a Nigerian woman who gave birth once on board a rescue vessel. Italian media said one man was found dead on one of the boats.
On Christmas Eve at least another 1,000 migrants were also rescued.
In past years, migrant crossings have been mostly limited to summer time when the seas are calmer and the weather milder. This year more perilous voyages than ever before have been attempted during the threatening winter conditions.
According to the interior ministry, 167,462 migrants have arrived in Italy by sea since the start of the year through to 17 December.
