Saturday, June 6, 2015

Migrant crisis: Warships rescue thousands off Libya coast

Handout photo issued by Irish Defence Forces during an operation on 5 June 2015 — Ships from across Europe have been assisting with the rescue mission

European warships and coast guard vessels have rescued more than 2,000 migrants off the coast of Libya.

The Malta-based, Migrant Offshore Aid Station, said it coordinated the operation along with Italian, Irish and German ships.

Italy's coastguard could not confirm the numbers, but said it was trying to help around a dozen other vessels.

The HMS Bulwark, a British Royal Navy ship, is also making its way towards Libya to assist with the situation.

BBC correspondent Jonathan Beale, who is on board, said the ship's crew would launch helicopters and landing craft on Sunday morning in the expectation they would pick up more migrants.

The Bulwark has already saved almost 1,800 people over the past month.

Map showing the most deadly Mediterranean migrant routes

Italian navy ship Driade rescued 560 of the migrants on Saturday, including women and children, while the Irish vessel Le Eithne picked up 310 people.

The numbers of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean in the hope of reaching Europe, has increased by more than 10% in the first five months of 2015.

Italy's government predicts a total of 200,000 will arrive on its shores this year, up from 170,000 in 2014.