New rescue in the Mediterranean
(BRUXELLES2) Another difficult day in the Mediterranean Sea for the rescuers. On Friday (June 10), the Luxembourg plane Merlin III spotted several overcrowded inflatable boats 20 nautical miles off the port of Garabuli (in Libya). A chain alert from Operation Sophia Force HQ to the Italian aircraft carrier Garibaldi and to the Sea Rescue Coordination Center (IMRCC) in Rome.
The British oceanographic ship HMS Enterprise took care of 523 migrants aboard 4 rubber dinghies while the German auxiliary ship FGS Frankfurt did the same for 3 additional dinghies carrying 293 people. Other lifeboats were later spotted by the Spanish frigate's AB 212 helicopter Reina Sofia.
Persons taken on board HMS Enterprise were then transferred to the Norwegian vessel Siem Pilot of Operation Triton. THE FGS Frankfurt headed for the port of Messina (Sicily) after taking care of 243 migrants, rescued by the Phoenix, vessel chartered by NGOs, during two consecutive rescue operations on Thursday (9 June).
According to the latest report drawn up by Operation Sophia HQ (EUNAVFOR MED) in Rome, 71 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been prosecuted by the Italian authorities. And 139 boats (109 inflatable boats, 27 wooden boats, 3 fishing vessels) were destroyed. Since its launch in June 2015, the European military operation has directly supported 15.600 people during 95 interventions and contributed to the rescue of 32.334 additional migrants by other means (Italian coast guard, Frontex, NGOs).
(NGV)
