ITALY: 3000 REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS RESCUED – Coordinated operations saved their lives

More than 3,000 refugees and immigrants, in twenty coordinated operations, rescued Saturday off Sicily, averting a new tragedy in the Mediterranean.

Refugees and immigrants attempted to cross the Mediterranean with boats, having Italy as their final destination.

In total, 20 rescuing operations were carried out under the coordination of the Italian coastguard. These operations included units of the Italian Coastguard, the Italian Navy, Frontex, non-governmental organizations and merchant ships.

The survivors, reaching 3,150 in total, landed in ports of Sicily and Calabria.

In recent weeks, migratory flows have increased in the region, but coordinated rescue operations carried out by rescue teams have helped to prevent new wrecks.