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| UK naval vessel launches rescue mission for hundreds of migrants off Libyan coast | UK naval vessel launches rescue mission for hundreds of migrants off Libyan coast |
| (7 months later) | |
| The Royal Navy's HMS Bulwark has begun an operation to rescue hundreds of migrants from four boats in waters off the coast of Libya. | The Royal Navy's HMS Bulwark has begun an operation to rescue hundreds of migrants from four boats in waters off the coast of Libya. |
| The British warship began a new rescue mission on Sunday morning after a helicopter identified the four vessels in distress, according to a defence ministry statement. | The British warship began a new rescue mission on Sunday morning after a helicopter identified the four vessels in distress, according to a defence ministry statement. |
| "From first light this morning, a Merlin helicopter from 814 Squadron on board HMS Bulwark has been conducting surveillance operations and has identified four migrant vessels in distress, containing a total of at least 500 people," the statement said. | "From first light this morning, a Merlin helicopter from 814 Squadron on board HMS Bulwark has been conducting surveillance operations and has identified four migrant vessels in distress, containing a total of at least 500 people," the statement said. |
| "HMS Bulwark has now commenced rescue operations to recover those in the vessels." | "HMS Bulwark has now commenced rescue operations to recover those in the vessels." |
| European naval vessels were sent to the area after 14 migrant boats were spotted struggling in open water. | European naval vessels were sent to the area after 14 migrant boats were spotted struggling in open water. |
| More than 2,000 migrants, including women and children, were rescued on Staurday and taken to Sicily, according to the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS). | |
| HMS Bulwark rescued 747 people from dangerously overcrowded boats in the same area last week. | HMS Bulwark rescued 747 people from dangerously overcrowded boats in the same area last week. |
| European navies have been conducting search and rescue efforts in the Mediterranean as their governments struggle to tackle an influx of migrants from North Africa. | European navies have been conducting search and rescue efforts in the Mediterranean as their governments struggle to tackle an influx of migrants from North Africa. |
| Many of the migrants are fleeing war in Libya and further afield on the continent. | Many of the migrants are fleeing war in Libya and further afield on the continent. |
| Speaking at the G7 sumit in Germany on Sunday, British Prime Minister David Cameron called for a more long-term strategy to halt the flow of migrants from Libya. | Speaking at the G7 sumit in Germany on Sunday, British Prime Minister David Cameron called for a more long-term strategy to halt the flow of migrants from Libya. |
| "The two key things that need to happen are [the creation of] a government in Libya and breaking the connection between getting on a boat and getting settlement in Europe. We need to take on these two things," he said. | "The two key things that need to happen are [the creation of] a government in Libya and breaking the connection between getting on a boat and getting settlement in Europe. We need to take on these two things," he said. |
| It is estimated that so far more than 1,600 people have drowned trying to make the crossing to Europe this year. | It is estimated that so far more than 1,600 people have drowned trying to make the crossing to Europe this year. |
| On Friday an Irish Navy ship, the LE Eithne, successfully located and rescued a small craft with 113 people on board that was in distress 40 km north of Tripoli, Libya. | On Friday an Irish Navy ship, the LE Eithne, successfully located and rescued a small craft with 113 people on board that was in distress 40 km north of Tripoli, Libya. |
| (Additional reporting by agencies) | (Additional reporting by agencies) |