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Second Irish vessel departs to join Mediterranean humanitarian operation

Xinhua, July 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

The second Irish Naval vessel LE Niamh departed its base in the south coastal city of Cork on Friday evening to assist the Italian authorities in the humanitarian operation to rescue migrants fleeing North Africa, the military said.

LE Niamh, with a crew of 55 naval service personnel and two medics, will continue the work started by LE Eithne, which was deployed to the Mediterranean in mid-May.

Irish Defense Minister Simon Coveney said the new Irish naval vessel is expected to be deployed in the Mediterranean until September, depending on the operational demands and requirements arising.

LE Eithne, the first Irish naval ship to join the humanitarian operation in the Mediterranean, has spent the past eight weeks there and has set out on its return to Irish shores, he said.

He added that a total of 3,377 people have been rescued by LE Eithne from the waters between Libya and Sicily of Italy. Endit