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The UN has said "much more is required" to prevent the deaths of migrants fleeing to Europe after hundreds were reported dead in recent days. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a "collective political response" to avert "a crisis of solidarity", BBC reported.

He called on states involved to "expand safe and legal channels of migration".

On Thursday 71 people, thought to be Syrians, were found dead in a lorry in Austria. Some 200 others are feared dead after two boats sank off Libya. Mr Ban said he was "horrified and heartbroken" at the latest loss of life.

"A large majority of people undertaking these arduous and dangerous journeys are refugees fleeing from places such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan," he said.

"The international community must also show greater determination in resolving conflicts and other problems that leave people little choice but to flee," he added.

Mr Ban called on nations to observe international law on asylum requests, and not to "force people to return to places from which they have fled if there is a well-founded fear of persecution... This is not only a matter of international law; it is also our duty as human beings."

He said: "This is a human tragedy that requires a determined collective political response. It is a crisis of solidarity, not a crisis of numbers."