Saving migrants but also collecting evidence
(B2) The frigate "Canarias" (F-86), deployed in the Mediterranean as part of the European operation EUNAVFOR Med Sophia, took part in the rescue of more than 100 immigrants who had boarded an inflatable boat (1).
Scouting during a reconnaissance mission
It was during a reconnaissance mission on Tuesday (October 20) that the on-board helicopter Sea Hawk spotted an inflatable boat adrift with more than 100 people on board. The frigate and then the EUNAVFOR Med Sophia operation command were alerted and the rescue operation launched. The helicopter on board the Canary Islands guided the MSF ship to the exact location of the migrant boat.
Search for evidence
But the main thing was not automatically in this rescue operation. Meanwhile, the Spanish Air Force aircraft flew over the area to locate suspected smuggling vessels. And the investigators of the “Canaries” went on board the ship where the immigrants had just traveled in order to collect evidence and find out more precisely how the gangs operate.
Slow investigative work
The European forces are thus engaged in a patient, meticulous work of collecting all the available information in order to then be cross-checked, reconstituted and able to proceed to arrests and judgments.
(NGV)
(1) According to the results of the Spanish Navy, 1.020 people have already been rescued in different actions in which the frigate Canarias has been involved since its incorporation into the European operation on October 5th.
