Irish Navy confirmed that, in an operation which started yesterday, its vessel LÉ NIAMH managed to rescue 367 migrants after their vessel capsized, recovering 25 bodies.
LÉ NIAMH was tasked by the Italian Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre (MRCC) to come to the assistance of a fishing vessel 110 kilometres north-west of Tripoli with an estimated 600 persons on board. When the Navy vessel arrived on scene it deployed two rhibs (rigid hull inflatable boats) on either side of the vessel as per standard operating procedure, however the vessel capsized. The LÉ NIAMH immediately deployed all available assets including rhibs and life rafts.
The Italian vessel MIMBELLI sent a helicopter to the scene to deploy additional life rafts and two further vessels, the Italian SIRIO and Médicins Sans Frontiére DIGNITY 1 were on site assisting with the efforts.
Further updates are expected soon.
LÉ NIAMH has rescued 1280 migrants before this operation.
Image: Irish Defence Forces