We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again.

A vessel operated by EU border agency Frontex and another owned by Italy’s tax police picked up the migrants on Saturday near the Italian island of Linosa - more than 100 nautical miles from Malta.

Last night, Malta said the people travelling on the packed vessel were Italy’s responsibility but Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has insisted the migrants will not be allowed to land in the country.

The unnamed source, speaking to Reuters, said that eight of the 450 migrants needed medical attention and were taken to the Italian island of Lampedusa for treatment.

According to the source, Mr Salvini spoke with Prime Minister Conte on the telephone about how to resolve the latest situation.