300 migrants are thought to have died in the Mediterranean after boats carrying them from North Africa sank.
The UN's refugee agency believes the migrants departed from Libya on Saturday, and are originally from West Africa.
The UNHCR says almost 3500 people died attempting to cross the Mediterranean sea in 2014.
But a year-long operation by Italy aimed at rescuing migrants from the sea ended in November.
The European Union border agency Frontex now runs an operation but with far fewer ships and over a smaller area.
European Commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva says Brussels is aware it is not currently doing enough.
IN: "We all…..
OUT: ...2015."
DUR: 27 seconds
ALT:
European Commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva says EU operations need more funding if they are to make an impact.
IN: "Pointing…..
OUT: ...borders."
DUR: 32 seconds