Migrants Rescued in the Mediterranean Sea

In one of the dramatic operations panicked migrants began throwing themselves into the water in a desperate bid to reach a vessel operated by Malta-based humanitarian group MOAS.

The five women and two men who lost their lives trying to reach Europe were on board an overloaded rubber boat. Rescue swimmers from MOAS were able to save 134 people from that boat, including 99 men, 29 women and six children. On the Phoenix, post-rescue care is carried out by Italian Red Cross volunteers and staff. People who have died are transferred to the Responder with care and respect before they are taken to land.

More than 1,000 people were rescued over the next three hours including three babies.

Yesterday was another busy day for the Responder, with 119 people rescued from a rubber boat and transferred to the Italian Coastguard, which is coordinating the search effort.

“These boats are built to only take 100 people”.

Last week calmer seas and Libya’s lawlessness opened the way for smugglers to ship 13 000 migrants across the Mediterranean Sea in just four days.

According to UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) figures 117,590 migrants arrived in Italy between the start of 2015 and September 1st, around the same level as a year ago.

Some 117,590 migrants arrived in Italy between the start of 2016 and September 1, around the same level as a year ago.

Sky correspondent Mark Stone is at the scene, witnessing the rescue from a MAOS (Migrant Offshore Aid Station) boat in the Mediterranean.

Italy is sheltering growing numbers of would-be refugees as its neighbours to the north move to tighten their borders and make it harder for migrants to travel to their preferred destinations in northern Europe.