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Friday 08 May 2015 - 13:51 Makkah mean time-19-7-1436
Illegal migrants rescued (AFP image)
London (IINA) – A British navy ship has rescued 110 migrants from a dinghy which was about to sink off the coast of Libya, BBC reported.
The rescue by HMS Bulwark on Thursday was the first by a British ship since improved conditions allowed smugglers to begin operating again in March.
The migrants were transferred to an Italian coastguard vessel, Fiorillo, and the dinghy was sunk.
"HMS Bulwark, working with the Italian coastguard, Thursday investigated a large rubber boat with approximately 110 individuals on board,” said a Ministry of Defense spokesperson.
"The individuals were rescued using Bulwark's landing craft before being transferred onto the Italian coastguard's vessel and taken to land. Everyone was transferred safely and HMS Bulwark remains on task," he confirmed.
Based at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily, the ship will work with three Royal Navy Merlin helicopters to provide a "wide ranging search and rescue capability,” the Navy said.
According to the United Nations estimates, 60,000 people have tried to cross the Mediterranean in 2015. Many more are expected to attempt the crossing in the coming weeks as smugglers take advantage of calmer weather.
AB/IINA
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