Lampedusa, Italy - Three vessels carrying around 450 would-be immigrants were heading Monday for the southern Italian island of Lampedusa, navy officials said.

The Italian navy picked up SOS signals transmitted from two of the vessels, both drifting some 70 nautical miles south-east of Lampedusa, Captain Cosimo Nicastro said.

A coastguard patrol boat has been dispatched to rescue the would-be immigrants whose nationality has yet to be established, Nicastro said.

Another coastguard rescue mission was under way for the over 50 occupants of the third vessel, which was spotted by an Italian trawler some 55 nautical miles south of Lampedusa, Nicastro said.

Lampedusa, Italy - Italian coast guard patrols intercepted Tuesday over 300 would-be immigrants attempting to reach the country's shores illegally, officials said.

One boat carrying 290 people - including 29 women and a newborn baby - was spotted by the coast guard some 30 nautical miles south of the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa.

The group, whose nationality was not immediately known, was taken to a reception centre for illegal immigrants situated on Lampedusa.

Another group consisting of 29 people was brought to Lampedusa earlier when their vessel was also intercepted by the coast guard.