Busy day for the Spanish CN-235 VIGMA D-4 acting in operation SOPHIA
During yesterday’s flight over the Southern Central Mediterranean sea, the Spanish CN-235 VIGMA D4 deployed in Sigonella Airbase spotted eight small wooden boats and two rubber boats with migrants on board.
During yesterday’s flight over the Southern Central Mediterranean sea, the Spanish CN-235 VIGMA D4 
deployed in Sigonella Airbase spotted eight small wooden boats and two rubber boats with migrants on board.
Thanks to the Spanish Vigma D4 Maritime Patrol Aircraft contribution, about 550 people have been rescued at sea. EUNAVFOR MED air assets , thanks to their sensors, can provide to operation SOPHIA long-range detection capabilities to spot any suspicious activity and can, therefore contribute to save lives at sea.
Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA ’s activities, 84 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been prosecuted by the Italian authorities and 246 boats have been prevented from being re-used by smugglers and, consequently, more than 21500 migrants have been rescued directly by Sophia’s assets.
Nonetheless, more than 35.000 lives were saved at sea thanks to the contribution of EUNAVFOR MED assets, among them, the Spanish Maritime Patrol Aircraft Vigma D4.
Photos on Flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHskGHsb8g