The deaths come as NGOs are split over a code of conduct proposed by the Italian government that would regulate their actions at sea in order to quell what the Italian government believes to be alleged collusion between the NGOs and human smugglers. More than one third of all search- and- rescue operations of migrants north of Libya are done by NGOs. The Italian government has also announced plans to employ a naval force in Libyan waters to mitigate migration.

The Italian planned naval operation north of Libya would support the Libyan coastguard, the Italian government claims.  The mission will assist Libyan authorities "gradually regain control of their territory and borders" Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said. According to Italian Foreign Minister Angelinio Alfano, Italy wanted to work on behalf of the "unity and stability" of Libya.

Since the fall of Moamer Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has become a major transit country for migrants as lawlessness has enveloped swaths of the country. 114,000 migrants have arrived in southern Europe since the start of the year with 82 percent arriving in Italy – the majority of whom have came via Libya.

(InfoMigrants with dpa, reuters)