Irish Navy involved in the rescue of hundreds of migrants in the Mediterranean

An Irish naval vessel has been involved in a mission to rescue migrants off the coast of Libya.

The LÉ James Joyce this morning located and rescued 423 migrants from 18 separate vessels during a complex operation 40 nautical miles North-West of Tripoli.

Those who were rescued were given food, water and medical treatment where required.

The LÉ James Joyce participated in the rescue mission on foot of a request from the Italian Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre.

The ship also acted as on-scene coordinator for five NGO vessels who rescued an additional 1,500 migrants from the 18 vessels.