Following the mass departure of migrants from the coast of Libya on Monday, 29 August, a large number of vessels was also recorded embarking on Tuesday, with the frigate 'Reina Sofía' rescuing 11 of these vessels, saving 1,048 people: 914 men, 122 women and 12 children.
The rescue operations began early in the morning after receiving a warning that a large number of vessels with migrants on-board had left the coast of Libya. The maritime coordination and rescue centre in Rome assigned the rescue of 11 vessels to the Spanish frigate. In addition to these rescue operations, the Spanish vessel rendered these vessels inoperable following the rescue of the migrants so that people traffickers could no longer use them.
The vessel plans to arrive at an Italian port, unspecified as yet, on Wednesday, 31 August, in order to transfer these 1,048 migrants.
Following Tuesday's actions, the 'Reina Sofía' has rescued a total of 3,343 migrants since the start of its participation in Operation EUNAVFOR MED SOPHIA on 24 May. This European Union operation contributes to fighting the mafias that traffic humans and in preventing the loss of life in the Central Mediterranean.
EUNAVFOR MED