Irish navy rescue 772 migrants from large wooden barge

LÉ Samuel Beckett Rescues 772* Migrants During a Complex Search & Rescue Operation. Picture: Irish Defence Sources

LÉ Samuel Beckett Rescues 772* Migrants During a Complex Search & Rescue Operation. Picture: Irish Defence Sources

LÉ Samuel Beckett Rescues 772* Migrants During a Complex Search & Rescue Operation. Picture: Irish Defence Sources

thumbnail: LÉ Samuel Beckett Rescues 772* Migrants During a Complex Search & Rescue Operation. Picture: Irish Defence Sources
thumbnail: LÉ Samuel Beckett Rescues 772* Migrants During a Complex Search & Rescue Operation. Picture: Irish Defence Sources
thumbnail: LÉ Samuel Beckett Rescues 772* Migrants During a Complex Search & Rescue Operation. Picture: Irish Defence Sources
Cathal McMahon

This is the moment a member of the Irish Defence Forces rescued a tiny baby from an overcrowded wooden barge off the coast of Tripoli.

The LÉ Samuel Beckett located and rescued 772 migrants following a request from the Italian Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre.

The naval vessel located the migrants on a large wooden barge during a complex search and rescue operation 36 Nautical Miles North East of Tripoli.

In a statement the Defence Forces said the The LÉ Samuel Beckett also acted as on scene co-ordinator for four other ships that rescued migrants from approximately 20 small craft within the search area.

LÉ Samuel Beckett Rescues 772* Migrants During a Complex Search & Rescue Operation. Picture: Irish Defence Sources

The rescue operation began at 6.30am and all migrants were taken on board LÉ Samuel Beckett by 2.30pm.

They are are now receiving food, water and medical treatment where required.

LÉ Samuel Beckett will transfer some migrants to an Italian ship before transferring the remaining migrants to a Port of Safety.

Figures for today's operation are provisional until confirmed by the Italian authorities.