The number of migrants being rescued from boats in the Mediterranean is set to reach record levels this weekend.
More than 4,200 were plucked from small boats and dinghies off the coast of Libya in the 24 hours to midnight – more than ever before in a 24-hour period. And they just keep on coming.
Britain’s Royal Navy flagship HMS Bulwark set more than 700 ashore at the Italian port of Taranto today, but Britain is still refusing to take part in an EU quota scheme for re-housing them.
HMS Bulwark rescued more than 300 migrants crammed into a wooden boat. The naval vessel intercepted the endangered ship as it attempted to cross waters north of Libya and dispatched five landing craft to help it. Among the hundreds saved were 50 small children.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “HMS Bulwark and her crew have once again saved hundreds of lives in the Mediterranean migrant crisis, offering medical assistance, food, water and dry clothes to those in need.
“A wider political solution is required to this crisis, but that does not detract from today’s rescue at sea.”
Earlier today an Irish Navy ship in the Mediterranean was involved in a second rescue mission.
The LE Eithne, the flagship of Ireland’s fleet, took about 300 people off a barge 45km north of Libya as they attempted to cross the sea towards Malta and Italy.
The crew were tasked by the Italian Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre and arrived on scene in the early hours of the morning.