BFF-10 Libyan navy rescues 362 migrants off western coast

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LIBYAN-NAVY-MIGRANTS-RESCUE

Libyan navy rescues 362 migrants off western coast

TRIPOLI, Feb 3, 2018 (BSS/Xinhua) – The Libyan coast guard has rescued 362
illegal migrants in three separate operations in western Libya, the Navy’s
spokesman said Friday.

“Coast Guard patrols, in three separate operations, rescued 362 illegal
immigrants of different nationalities,” Navy spokesman Ayoub Qassem told
Xinhua.

The first operation took place off the city of Al-Khoms, some 120 km east
of Tripoli, where 89 migrants were rescued, Qassem said.

“The second patrol was carried out by the vessel Kifa in Abu Kammash town,
some 120 km west of Tripoli, where two broken boats were spotted and 250
immigrants were rescued. They were taken to Tripoli Naval Base and then
transferred to the Tajura housing center of the anti-illegal immigration
department,” Qassem said.

The third operation saved 23 migrants, including 9 Libyans, on a small
wooden boat about 80 km north of Abu Kammash, Qassem added.

Following the 2011 uprising in Libya, illegal migrants have been trying to
leave the chaotic situation in the country and cross the Mediterranean to
reach European shores.

BSS/Xinhua/MRI/0910 hrs