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1,151 Migrants Rescued off Libyan Coast

1,151 Migrants Rescued off Libyan Coast
1,151 Migrants Rescued off Libyan Coast

Italy has said its coast guard saved more than 1,000 migrants in a series of rescues off the Libyan coast. It comes as the EU prepares to begin its anti-smuggling operations in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Italian coast guard coordinated the rescue of 1,151 migrants in nearly a dozen separate operations on Monday off the coast of Libya, it said.

In one instance, a coast guard ship picked up more than 440 people from four inflatable boats.

Separately, the charity Doctors Without Borders said one of its boats had rescued 373 people, tweeting a picture of a distressed six-year-old child.

Libya is one of the major crossing points for African migrants trying to get to Europe. The European Union is trying to combat people smuggling and will go after suspected traffickers in the international waters of the Mediterranean Sea as of next week.

Beginning October 7, the next phase of what’s known as Operation Sophia will allow naval forces belonging to EU member states to board, search and seize suspicious vessels.

Financialtribune.com