The Irish Navy’s vessel LÉ EITHNE rescued some 500 migrants in three separate operations over the weekend.
Starting on Friday, June 5, the vessel located and rescued a small craft with 113 persons on board 40 km north of Tripoli, Libya.
Acting on information received from the Italian Marine Rescue Coordination Centre, a rubber inflatable craft was located within the area being patrolled by the LÉ EITHNE. Rescue operations and transfer of migrants began at 5 pm and were completed by 8pm. A total of 113 men, women and children (including infants) were rescued by the LÉ EITHNE and transferred to an Italian ship the FENICE for onward passage to a port of safety.
The next morning LÉ EITHNE located and rescued a barge with approximately 310 persons on board, some 48 km north of the city of Zuwarah, Libya after they had initiated a distress call. Weather conditions at the time were difficult, with dense fog hampering the operation.
Later that day, Saturday, June 6, the Naval vessel saved migrants on 2 inflatable craft with 89 persons on board, 75 km north of Libya.
The vessel had 399 rescuees on board; 280 males, 78 females and 41 children, which were transferred to Taranto Port, Italy, last night.
[mappress mapid=”16167″]
Image: Irish Defence Forces