Massive Rescues Off Libya Coast Save Over 10,000 Migrants

Migrants gesture towards members of Proactiva Open Arms NGO as they wait to be rescued in the Mediterranean sea, some 12 nautical miles north of Libya, on Oct. 4, 2016.

Thousands of migrants are "racing against the clock" to make the perilous crossing from Libya to Europe before summer ends, with authorities in the conflict-torn country at a loss to stem the flow. 

Migrants wait to be rescued by members of Proactiva Open Arms NGO as they drift in the Mediterranean sea.

Migrants wait to be rescued. The coast guard said the migrants Tuesday were rescued from 33 boats, including 27 rubber dinghies.

Migrants try to pull a child out of the water as they wait to be rescued in the Mediterranean sea.

A migrant is rescued from the Mediterranean sea by a member of Proactiva Open Arms NGO.

Some 13 ships from the coast guard, the Italian and Irish navies, private merchant vessels and humanitarian organizations were involved in the rescues.

Migrants react as they are being rescued.

A mother holds her child after being rescued.

The latest surge in new arrivals means at least 142,000 migrants have reached Italy since the start of the year and around 3,100 have died making the perilous trip.

A child from African origin is rescued from a distressed vessel.

A woman has fainted after being rescued.

Migrants wait to be rescued.

The majority come from Africa, including Nigeria, Eritrea, Guinea, Gambia, Sudan, Ivory Coast and Somalia.

Migrants wait to be rescued.

Migrants wait to be rescued.

Two women stand on a boat as they wait with other refugees and migrants to be rescued.

The migrants are brought to Italy, where EU and Italian officials work together to identify and fingerprint the asylum seekers. European law says migrants must stay in the country where they first enter the bloc and Italy is increasingly struggling to deal with the growing numbers.