A Search and Rescue operation is currently underway in the Central Mediterranean, where a rubber boat carrying migrants is believed to be distress.
A spokesperson confirmed to Newsbook.com.mt that assets from the Armed Forces of Malta are currently involved in the SAR operation. They also confirmed that they had been notified of the situation just over two hours earlier.
It is understood that the AFM asset is a twin-engined Augusta Westland AW139 maritime patrol helicopter. According to mapping information, the helicopter is designated SAR2345.
A tweet from Italian Radio journalist Sergio Scandura explains that the rubber boat is five hours away from any commercial or SAR vessels. The dinghy is geolocated south of Lampedusa.
19:29🔴 SAR in corso. 🛩 Frontex ‘Osprey1’ ha dato l’allerta per un gommone blu alla deriva. Contattata anche OV, che però è a 5 ore di navigazione dal target.
🚁AS1630 (SAR2345) AFM Malta sta a 65 mi. ca. sud Lampedusa. Non risultano vedette SAR o cargo coinvolti per il target. pic.twitter.com/C4Fw0Zo7ql
— Sergio Scandura (@scandura) August 12, 2019
‘There are no SAR or cargo lookouts involved for the target.’
This news follows the earlier rescue by the Ocean Viking of a group of 105 migrants who were close to drowning following their rubber dinghy bursting.
According to MSF and SOS Mediterranee who are operating their migrant rescue vessel, there are now 356 people on board.
BREAKING: @SOSMedIntl and @MSF_Sea just completed a critical rescue. Minutes after lifejackets were distributed, a rubber tube on the fragile boat burst, causing people to fall into the water. All 105 people are now safely on the #OceanViking, where the total onboard is now 356. pic.twitter.com/l9uXmhRv9u
— MSF Sea (@MSF_Sea) August 12, 2019
Read more:
Updated: 170 asylum seekers rescued by Ocean Viking on first mission
Migrants rescued by Ocean Viking in its first search and rescue operation
Hollywood star Gere speaks out to support migrants on Spanish rescue ship
More details to follow…
