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| Migrant crisis: Warships rescue thousands off Libya coast | Migrant crisis: Warships rescue thousands off Libya coast |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| European warships and coast guard vessels have rescued more than 2,000 migrants off the coast of Libya. | European warships and coast guard vessels have rescued more than 2,000 migrants off the coast of Libya. |
| The Malta-based, Migrant Offshore Aid Station, said it co-ordinated the operation along with Italian, Irish and German ships. | |
| Italy's coastguard could not confirm the numbers, but said it was trying to help around a dozen other vessels. | Italy's coastguard could not confirm the numbers, but said it was trying to help around a dozen other vessels. |
| The HMS Bulwark, a British Royal Navy ship, is also making its way towards Libya to assist with the situation. | The HMS Bulwark, a British Royal Navy ship, is also making its way towards Libya to assist with the situation. |
| BBC correspondent Jonathan Beale, who is on board, said the ship's crew would launch helicopters and landing craft on Sunday morning in the expectation they would pick up more migrants. | BBC correspondent Jonathan Beale, who is on board, said the ship's crew would launch helicopters and landing craft on Sunday morning in the expectation they would pick up more migrants. |
| The Bulwark has already saved almost 1,800 people over the past month. | The Bulwark has already saved almost 1,800 people over the past month. |
| Italian navy ship Driade rescued 560 of the migrants on Saturday, including women and children, while the Irish vessel Le Eithne picked up 310 people. | Italian navy ship Driade rescued 560 of the migrants on Saturday, including women and children, while the Irish vessel Le Eithne picked up 310 people. |
| The numbers of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean in the hope of reaching Europe, has increased by more than 10% in the first five months of 2015. | The numbers of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean in the hope of reaching Europe, has increased by more than 10% in the first five months of 2015. |
| Italy's government predicts a total of 200,000 will arrive on its shores this year, up from 170,000 in 2014. | Italy's government predicts a total of 200,000 will arrive on its shores this year, up from 170,000 in 2014. |