234 migrants saved by EUNAVFOR MED

BRUSSELS, 30 March. - (ANA) - Spotted at sea by the Spanish air force aircraft VIGMA D-4  and the AB 212 helicopter embarked on the Spanish frigate Numancia , over last days several rubber boats with hundreds of migrants on board have sat sail towards Europe.

An enhanced flow that, under the coordination of the Italian Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, required the effort of all the assets in the area. Therefore, fully in accordance with the International Law of the Sea and Refugee Conventions, EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia  has participated in the rescue operations saving 129 migrants with the UK ship Enterprise  on Sunday, and 105 with the German auxiliary ship FRANKFURT  today.

EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA, launched on the 22nd of June 2015, has entered its second phase last October 7th. Thus far the Operation has contributed to save more than 11700 people while 61 people have been reported to the Italian Authorities as possible smugglers and 100 vessels (77 Rubber boat, 21 Wooden boat, 2 Fishing vessel) have been removed from illegal organizations’ availability. - (ANA) -

AB/ANA/ 30 March 2016 - - -