Operation Mare Nostrum: identified barge with 200 people on board

22/01/14

An EH101 helicopter of the amphibious ship San Marco, of the Navy, at 12.19 today has identified, in an area at 90 miles south of Lampedusa, a boat with about 200 migrants on board.

La Zeffiro frigate of the Navy, which immediately went to the boat, having noted the high number of people, at about 14.40 pm declared the emergency situation and is currently engaged in the rescue.

Following the sighting, the contact was followed by an Air Force Predator, which took off from the 28th Gruppo Volo di Amendola, as part of the inter-force collaboration of Operation Mare Nostrum.

Source: Military Navy

(See also AM release)