Italian coast guard: 2,900 saved in several sea rescues
ROME (AP) — Italian coast guard ships and vessels from a multi-nation naval mission and humanitarian organizations rescued at least 2,900 migrants Sunday from 21 boats launched by smugglers from Libyan shores, authorities said.
The coast guard said the rescues were carried out by military vessels from Italy, Spain, Ireland, Britain as well as a boat run by humanitarian personnel.
The Irish naval vessel Le Eithne was involved in at least six of the operations Sunday, rescuing nearly 600 migrants from inflatable rubber dinghies that needed help in the waters northwest of Libya, according to an Irish military statement.
About 100 of the migrants were being brought to the tiny island of Lampedusa, off Sicily. Authorities were determining which larger, southern Italian ports would receive the others on Monday.
Libyan-based smugglers tend to wait out spells of rough seas and then launch many of their boats, either unseaworthy wooden fishing boats or motorized dinghies, when the Mediterranean is calmer.
Satellite phones are used to call for help ...
Posts
