Successful rescue of around 250 migrants off Libyan coast

Italian and Maltese rescue teams respond to distress calls and save around 250 migrants on boats within Libyan Search and Rescue Region.

24 October 2012, 12:00am

1 min read

Distress calls came in at 9pm, rescue operation commenced at 1am

The Malta Rescue Coordination Centre received a notification at around 9pm yesterday evening that a boat carrying 111 persons required assistance some 35 nautical miles from the Libyan coast.

RCC Malta said that communications with the Libyan Search and Rescue authorities and the Italian Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Rome) immediately established.

MRCC Rome confirmed they too had been informed of the matter and were already directing a merchant vessel to the area to render assistance.

Around midnight, MRCC Rome informed RCC Malta that there was another vessel carrying around 150 persons was located around 60 nautical miles from the Libyan coast.

Both craft were within the Libyan Search and Rescue Region.

The rescue, coordinated by MRCC Rome, commenced at about 1am by a merchant vessel which was later assisted by two Italian Coast Guard rescue boats.

All persons on both craft were rescued and taken on board the ITCG vessels. All through the course of the operation, MRCC Rome and RCC Malta were in constant contact to ensure the full coordination of actions.

RCC Malta said that the ITCG vessels are currently navigating towards Italian shores.