Lampedusa, Italy - Italian coast guard patrols intercepted Tuesday over 300 would-be immigrants attempting to reach the country's shores illegally, officials said.

One boat carrying 290 people - including 29 women and a newborn baby - was spotted by the coast guard some 30 nautical miles south of the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa.

The group, whose nationality was not immediately known, was taken to a reception centre for illegal immigrants situated on Lampedusa.

Another group consisting of 29 people was brought to Lampedusa earlier when their vessel was also intercepted by the coast guard.

Each year thousands of would-be immigrants from Africa and Asia try to enter Europe illegally by crossing the Mediterranean Sea and attempting to land on Italy's extensive coastline.

These journeys, which are mostly carried out using ramshackle vessels, often have fatal consequences. (dpa)