As many as 838 rescued migrants have arrived in the Italian city of Sicily on board a vessel that belongs to Italy's coastguard, according to Aki news agency.

The migrants were rescued off Libyan coasts on Thursday, said well-placed Italian security sources.

They will be distributed to several provinces in northern and eastern Italy in line with a plan put forward by the Interior Ministry here.

Libya, with a coastline of 1,770 kilometers (more than 1,000 miles), has for years been a stepping stone for those seeking a better life in Europe.

Most head for some Italian islands which are 300 kilometers from Libya.

People smugglers have taken advantage of chaos in Libya since the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed veteran dictator Muammar Gaddafi to step up their lucrative business.

Source: MENA