BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Italian Coastguard say more than 700 people have been rescued over the last two days from boats carrying migrants and refugees.

Four boats loaded with people from Syria, Egypt, Eritrea, Nigeria and Ghana got into difficulty off the coast of Sicily.

A family of four had to be rushed to hospital for emergency treatment. The upsurge of violence in Syria and Egypt has seen an increase in the number of refugees attempting to reach Italy in recent months.

Thousands of people have made the hazardous crossing from North Africa to Italy or Malta in open boats. Italy has urged its EU partners for help in housing them.

(Source: CNTV.cn)