More than 750 migrants rescued from boats off Libyan coast
More than 750 people were rescued on Saturday from three small boats in international waters near the Libyan coast by a ship operated by Doctors Without Borders, a spokesperson for the aid agency told AFP.
"Over 750 people have been rescued since 5:00 am (0300 GMT)," Yazan al-Saadi, MSF's regional communications officer said in Beirut.
He said a fourth rescue operation by MSF's Bourbon Argos search-and-rescue vessel was currently underway.
In videos sent to AFP by MSF, hundreds of people in brightly-coloured clothes are sprawled out on the ship, some hugging and clapping.
Children can be heard crying in the background.
"There are multiple nationalities... Thankfully, everyone is in good health," said MSF spokesman Sami al-Subaihi, who is seen aboard the ship in the video.
In recent years, Libya has become a hotspot for smugglers who charge thousands of dollars to get migrants and refugees to Europe.
"We are heading now towards the fourth boat, and we will see what the situation is like there," Subaihi said.
The Bourbon Argos has 26 people on board, including medical specialists.
"Once rescued, MSF treats the refugees on the ship in case of any cases of dehydration or other medical issues," Saadi told AFP.
"Then we take them to our centres either in Italy or Greece," he added.
On Friday, 102 migrants were rescued in the Mediterranean by Libyan authorities, but there were also casualties and so far seven bodies have been discovered.
Another 124 migrants were detained by Libyan coastguard officials on Friday as they were preparing to cross to Europe.
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