The Italian Coast Guard said it was working to rescue about five hundred migrants aboard four inflatable boats in Libyan territorial waters.
At the same time, it was finally decided that the 41 survivors aboard the US military ship Trenton will be transported by vessels of the Italian Coast Guard.
"One can not say that we do not take our responsibilities, and of course not that we are xenophobic or racist," said Italian Infrastructure Minister Danilo Toninelli.