Some 600 migrants were transported by ship to the Sicilian capital of Palermo on Friday after being rescued from the Mediterranean Sea in seven operations over 36 hours, Deutsche Welle reported Friday.

The ship, Aquarius, operated by the German group SOS Mediterranee, was carrying many children and families from Syria, as well as people from sub-Saharan Africa.

The arrival marks one of the biggest influxes since Italy struck a deal with Libyan authorities to reduce migrant smuggling, drawing vehement criticism from aid agencies, who say that the human rights situation in Libya is heavily compromised.

Source: MENA