The leaders of the European Union were due to meet in Brussels on Thursday to tackle an escalating migration crisis and the daily arrival of hundreds of would-be asylum seekers crossing the Mediterranean. The one-day talks in Brussels were hastily convened following a tragic shipwreck off the coast of Libya at the weekend. Only 24 bodies have been recovered of the more than 800 thought to have perished, according to the UN agency for refugees, UNHCR. According to draft summit papers seen by dpa, leaders are set to consider "at least doubling" the funds for Mediterranean sea patrols and plans for a possible military mission targeting boats used by smugglers.