The number of refugees fleeing Africa and Syria have grown to the point that Sicily has been forced to declare a state of emergency.

Italian officials say 370 migrants were rescued from boats between Libya and Sicily on Tuesday. All the migrants were being taken to the island of Lampedusa.

The state of emergency means that Italy’s civil protection service will be able to more efficiently carry out their work in dealing with people entering the country illegally according to the BBC.

Over 400 migrants have died from capsized boats in the last two weeks. Officials say the victims were fleeing war and poverty in Africa believing in a better life in Europe.

EU officials are being called upon to step in and provide funding help with the refugee crisis.