LE Niamh rescues 124 people from rubber boat in Mediterranean

The Defence Forces were alerted about the craft by a merchant ship, the STJENEBORG that was sailing in the area.

The LÉ Niamh is now en route to Sicily with 513 people on board, having taken aboard a further 133 rescued people from an Italian coast guard vessel.

The Irish naval vessel has now rescued a total of 3,773 refugees and migrants since commencing operations in the Mediterranean in July.

The 125 rescued people on board are receiving water, food and medical assistance where required.

The migrants are due to be transferred on to an Italian naval boat before being brought to Italy.

The Irish navy vessel LÉ Niamh has come to the aid of 380 people today in three different rescue operations.

The operation began on Thursday, when the LÉ Niamh arrived on the scene and deployed two rhibs (inflatable boats) to the vessel.