Immigration to Europe from Africa likely to rise in spring

The number of migrants from Africa to Europe are likely to rise in the springs, European Union sources said. The EU is increasing aid to train the Libyan coast guard and construct better camps in Africa, among other measures, as it prepares for more migrants.

A record 181,000 people made the journey from Libya to Europe last year, including 25,000 unaccompanied minors, the sources said. More than 5,000 are believed to have died attempting the crossing.

Migration flows were expected to increase again once the weather warms.

EU leaders are expected to release a joint communique at the end of a meeting in Malta this week that will focus on migration across the central Mediterranean and the situation in Libya, the sources said.