Baby girl born on LÉ Eithne after migrants rescued off Tripoli

Irish navy vessel rescues 703 migrants from five inflatable boats off Tripoli coast

A baby girl was born on board the Irish navy vessel LÉ Eithne on Friday after a rescue operation off the coast of Tripoli.

The ship rescued 703 migrants from five inflatable boats about 83km off the North West coast of Tripoli on Friday.

The Italian Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre asked the Irish vessel for help and designated her the on scene coordinator.

The rescued people on board received food, water and medical treatment where required.

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Defence Forces Medics assisted in the delivery of the baby girl, with both mother and baby said to be healthy and well.

The migrants will be dropped off at the designated 'Port of Safety' of Catania, Sicily, and handed over to the Italian Authorities tomorrow morning.

The LÉ Eithne was first deployed to the Mediterranean on May 16th, 2015 and Defence Forces personnel have rescued 15,621 migrants since then.

Niamh Towey

Niamh Towey

Niamh Towey is an Irish Times journalist