This aircraft also sent images on Tuesday, 4 October that have enabled another four vessels suspected of trafficking migrants and 11 inflatable vessels with more than 1,200 migrants on-board to be located.
The Spanish Air Force maintains the 'Grappa' detachment at Sigonella base in Italy, made up of a contingent of more than 40 servicemen and a D4 'VIGMA' aircraft on maritime patrol. The main mission of the detachment is to acquire images and identify possible vessels suspected of taking part in illegal human trafficking in the Central Mediterranean.
Over the last two months, the D4 has taken part in the rescue of more than 9,500 migrants and has contributed to the identification of 11 individuals suspected of people trafficking.
The frigate 'Navarra' rescues more than 500 people
On Monday, 3 October, the frigate 'Navarra' carried out its first rescue operation under Operation EUNAVFORMED 'Sophia' off the coast of Libya, by taking on board 522 people, including 122 women, 37 children and 15 babies.
The rescue operation began in the early afternoon and continued until nightfall. Initially, the 'Navarra' spotted four inflatable vessels adrift, some of them in a critical condition, and proceeded to their rescue. Upon completing this mission, and just before nightfall, it spotted two other vessels, which were also adrift, with a large number of children and babies on board.
Ministerio de Defensa