Irish rescue boat saves 285 migrants

IRISH rescue ship LE William Butler Yeats saved 285 migrants from two rubber vessels in the Mediterranean yesterday. The operation was carried out after a request from the Italian Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre. The Irish Naval Service vessel conducted two search operations 44km north-west of Libyan capital Tripoli. Tragically, three people were declared dead during the course of the second rescue bid. The 285 migrants were last night receiving food, water and medical treatment where required.