THE LÉ EITHNE yesterday rescued over 700 migrants who got into trouble after they left the Libyan coast in search of Europe.

Defence Forces personnel located and rescued people from five inflatable boats which got into trouble around 83 kilometres off the northwest coast of Tripoli.

Once LÉ Eithne arrived on scene, itwas designated the on scene coordinator for a large scale rescue operation involving three NGO ships and ten platforms in distress (PIDs).

The rescue operation took place throughout the day, as well as migrants being transferred from two NGO vessels to LÉ Eithne, where it completed operations with 703 migrants on board.

The people on board received food water and medical treatment where required.

A spokesman for the Defence Forces said: LÉ Eithne are now tasked by the Italian Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre to move the migrants to the designated ‘Port of Safety’ of Catania, Sicily, where it is estimated that they will be handed over to the Italian authorities tomorrow morning.

“Last night, en route to Catania, a baby girl was born on board LÉ Eithne with Defence Forces Medics assisting in the delivery. Both mother and baby are healthy and well.”