The rescue effort off the coast of Italy is believed to be one of the largest rescue operations undertaken by Italian officials. No deaths were reported.

Italian Navy via AP Photo An Italian Navy boat rescues people from Libya in the Mediterranean sea Saturday.

More than 2,000 people were rescued by Italy's coastguard Saturday after a large group of boats crammed with passengers from Libya sent out distress calls, the BBC reported. No deaths were reported during the operation, which Italian officials said was one of their largest single-day rescues at sea.

Italian Navy via AP Photo Passengers climb aboard the Italian Navy "Cigala Fulgosi" ship after being rescued in the Mediterranean sea.

The people were aboard more than 20 vessels, many of them fishing boats and inflatable craft, that apparently left Libya sometime late Friday and early Saturday, officials said. One Italian navy ship, the Cigalia Fulgosi, ended up carrying 506 people, who were to receive medical treatment, according to the Italian coastguard.

#SAR Nave Cigala Fulgosi #MarinaMilitare sbarcherà questa sera un migrante a Lampedusa per cure mediche e gli altri 506 #migranti a #Augusta

The Vega, another navy ship, picked up 432 people who had been aboard a single vessel that was filled more than 10 times over capacity. It was first spotted by a helicopter.

#Ultim'Ora #SAR Nave Vega #MarinaMilitare termina il soccorso al barcone avvistato con elicottero con il recupero di 432 #migranti