The Irish naval vessel LE Eithne has rescued a total of 519 migrants off three separate vessels, north-west of the Libyan capital Tripoli.
The ship successfully located and rescued 104 migrants on an inflatable craft in the early hours of this morning. Conditions at the time were good with the operation starting at 5:16am, and all migrants were on board by 6:31am.
Immediately following that, the LE Eithne was asked to assist with the rescue of a further 362 migrants on a barge.
This operation began at 7:18am and all migrants on board by 10:16 am.
The ship was then re-tasked with a third rescue of a further 53 migrants on a small fibreglass boat.
There are now approximately 519 rescuees on board - 401 males, 98 females and 20 minors.
The LE Eithne is awaiting direction from the Italian Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre.
The vessel departed on May 16th from Naval Service Headquarters in Cork to assist Italian authorities in humanitarian search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean.
