Irish Navy’s LÉ EITHNE successfully located and rescued a total of 593 migrants; from six separate vessels, 50 Nautical Miles north-west of Tripoli, the Libyan capital this morning.
Rescue operations commenced at 4 am Irish time when 101 migrants were taken from a rubber craft. The L.E. EITHNE quickly proceeded into 5 more consecutive rescue operations, which were completed at 1pm Irish time. A total of 593 migrants (496 men, 92 women and 5 children) have been rescued from inflatable craft and safely embarked on the LÉ EITHNE.
The LÉ EITHNE is awaiting direction from the Italian Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre for next tasking.
The LÉ EITHNE departed on the 16th of May from Naval Service Headquarters in Haulbowline, Cork to assist the Italian Authorities in the humanitarian search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean.
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Image: Irish Navy