Number of migrants saved by LÉ Eithne exceeds 2,000

The number of lives saved by the Naval Service flagship LÉ Eithne passed the 2,000 mark after she picked up her largest number of migrants in any one day of operations off the coast of Libya.

The rescues were made as the EU announced a new policy to search out and destroy vessels being used by human traffickers in an effort to stifle their business.

Defence Minister Simon Coveney said that decision was part of a bigger strategy being adopted to address the humanitarian crisis.