Italy's government has announced a state of emergency over the increasing number of immigrants crossing the Mediterranean.

The government said on Tuesday that it would adopt a special procedure to quickly repatriate those without immigration status.

The government also said it would set aside 5 million euros, or about 5.5 million dollars, for repatriation and related measures.

Rome says as of Tuesday more than 31,000 migrants had arrived in the country this year by boat across the Mediterranean from Africa and elsewhere. The number is up about fourfold from the same period last year.

The government says immigrant centers in the country are overcrowded.

Many boats carrying migrants heading for Europe have arrived in Italy, which has long coastlines. In February, a boat carrying about 200 migrants capsized near the southern coast, leaving dozens dead.