Rome: More than 2000 migrants trying to reach Europe have been plucked from the Mediterranean in a series of dramatic rescues and one person was found dead, officials and witnesses said.

An Italian coast guard spokesman said 19 rescue operations on Friday by the coast guard or ships operated by non-governmental organisations had saved a total of 2074 migrants on 16 rubber dinghies and three small wooden boats.

Refugees are rescued last August. Credit:AP

The medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said in a tweet that one teenager was found dead in a rubber boat whose passengers were rescued by its ship Aquarius.

"The sea continues to be a graveyard," MSF said in a tweet.