Irish naval vessel rescues over 500 migrants in Mediterranean
Xinhua, June 23, 2015 Adjust font size:
Irish naval vessel LE Eithne has rescued over 500 migrants in the Mediterranean in its latest humanitarian rescue operations, the military said Tuesday.
LE Eithne was alerted earlier Monday to three vessels in potential distress about 50 nautical miles (92.6 km) northwest of Tripoli, Libya, said Irish Defense Minister Simon Coveney.
The Irish flagship, as part of the coordinated response to the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean, completed the rescue of 104 people from the first vessel, 363 from the second and 53 from the third, he said.
"This brings the total migrants rescued so far to 2,136," he added.
LE Eithne is providing medical assistance, food, water and dry clothes to those in need and will transfer them safely to a port in Italy as soon as possible, said the Irish defense minister.
He hailed the latest rescue operation by LE Eithne, saying that Monday's operation is "yet another example of the worthwhile efforts being undertaken by our naval service."
LE Eithne, with a crew of about 65 personnel, was deployed to the Mediterranean in mid-May to assist the Italian authorities in the humanitarian rescue operations. It will stay in the Mediterranean up to six months, according to the Irish military. Endi