EU president Donald Tusk is planning to hold an emergency summit on illegal immigration, after the latest migrant boat tragedy in the Mediterranean in which 700 people are feared to have perished.

Tusk said on Twitter he had spoken to Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and "will continue talks w/ EU leaders, Commission & EEAS on how to alleviate situation." He would make a decision on calling a possible summit after holding these consultations, said Tusk's spokesman Preben Aamann.