LÉ Niamh arrives in Palermo after ‘extraordinary challenge’

The LÉ Niamh, which rescued almost 400 migrants from the Mediterranean in one operation this week, has arrived in the Italian city of Palermo.

The Irish Naval ship saved 367 people but was also carrying 25 bodies after an overcrowded fishing vessel, with some 700 people onboard, capsized 10km off the Libyan coast on Wednesday. Officials believe hundreds may have drowned.

The Irish Naval Service has said it will pass all available information on the incident to the Italian authorities, as well as providing logistical and administrative assistance over the coming days.