Support grows for offshore migration centres as EU leaders' attitude hardens

A growing number of European leaders are expected to back the idea of offshore immigration centres as the EU looks for tougher measures to stop asylum seekers reaching the bloc. EU officials have been preparing for intensive talks on migration at a leaders' summit today as it emerged that four people, including two toddlers, had died after falling from an overcrowded speedboat off the Greek island of Kos.

- Jennifer Rankin, Helena Smith

A growing number of European leaders are expected to back the idea of offshore immigration centres as the EU looks for tougher measures to stop asylum seekers reaching the bloc.

EU officials have been preparing for intensive talks on migration at a leaders' summit today as it emerged that four people, including two toddlers, had died after falling from an overcrowded speedboat off the Greek island of Kos.

After searching throughout the night, officials confirmed the fatalities yesterday, saying those who died had been among a group of 31 people trying to reach Italy from the Turkish coast. The coastguard said the driver of the powerboat had made "abrupt and dangerous moves" when a patrol vessel signalled it to stop, causing 10 of the passengers to fall overboard.