Children onboard a rescue boat carrying hundreds of migrants that has been turned away from both Italy and Malta have been filmed playing and having fun despite their difficult circumstances.

More than 600 people were picked up in the Mediterranean Sea by the rescue ship Aquarius last week after they left Libya in rubber dinghies.

Due to the size of the rescue the refugees were divided up across three ships which set sail for Europe. However, the fleet was rejected by both Italy and Malta as it desperately looked for safety for the passengers.

As a result the vessels are now on a 700-nautical-mile-trip to Spain where the migrants have been promised refuge.

In spite of these testing conditions children aboard the Aquarius are keeping spirits up by playing games and having fun on their journey.