14 Jul 2016

Spanish Frigate Reina Sofia rescues 241 lives at sea in two days

Busy days for the Spanish Ship Reina Sofia : 121 migrants saved on the 12th of July and other 120 just the day after.

The migrant rubber boats were spotted by the EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA  air assets, the Luxemburgish aircraft SW3 Merlin III and the Spanish VIGMA D-4 , that contributed to give to the Spanish ship all the necessary details to intercept the migrant dinghies. Two pregnant women of two and five months were among the migrants. Not so unusual to see a pregnant women trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea: just few days ago, a boy was born on board the German Auxiliary Ship Werra before the ship could reach the Italian harbour where she was headed.

With this rescue, fifth from their integration into operation SOPHIA of last May 24, the frigate Reina Sofia has directly rescued a total of 1,536 people, and cooperated in the rescue of additional 663 lives.

EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA was launched on the 22nd of June 2015, and has entered its second phase last October 7th. Thus far the Operation has contributed to save more than 19000 people while 72 people have been delivered to the Italian Authorities and more than 190 vessels have been removed from illegal organizations’ availability.