Swedish coastguard ship rescues refugees
The rescued were brought to the Italian port of Taranto. Photo: KBV 001 Poseidon / Kustbevakningen/TT
A Swedish Coastguard ship today took onboard over 300 refugees, including 35 women and children, who were lost at sea, and brought them to Italy.
Word came that a refugee boat was lost at sea, and after some hours a Danish reconnaissance craft found it, and Poseidon was the closest ship, and able to reach the stricken boat in two hours.
The migrants were found aboard a 20 metre long boat, and were taken onto the Swedish ship relatively easily. The operation took two hours.
Coastguard spokesperson Mattias Lindholm says the weather is perfect for a rescue operation. “The sea was calm, almost no wind and visibility was absolutely excellent.”
The refugees are feared to have been stuck in their boat for around two weeks, but none seem to have been seriously harmed.
Since the first of June almost 2,000 people have been saved by the coastguard ship Poseidon, which is normally based in Gothenburg, and is taking part in the EU Triton operation.
Swedish Radio International
