More than 33,000 migrants have risked their lives this year so far, as they cross the 60-mile stretch of water that spans the African coast and the Italian island of Lampedusa.

Never before have such numbers made the journey so early on in the year.

But as political instability and economic woes grip Tunisia, there’s no time to wait for the calmer waters that the summer brings.

So, what is the Italian government doing about it? And how does this affect the boats that pitch up on the shores back here in the UK?

ITV News Europe Editor James Mates tells ITV News Presenter Lucrezia Millarini What You Need to Know…