The Italian Navy, with the help of its Sauro-class submarine Giuliano Prini (S 523), managed to stop 16 human traffickers in the Mediterranean Sea in the night of October 1.
During this operation, which employed the Italian Navy’s frigate Maestrale (F570) and the Comandante Borsini (P491) patrol vessel, over 300 African illegal immigrants were rescued.
Two boats used in the illegal ops, together with the smugglers, will be transferred to Augusta and handed over to the judicial authorities.
This action occurred off the Sicilian coast and was a part of the Operation Mare Nostrum.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, October 03, 2014; Image: Italian Navy