A busy Christmas time for EUNAVFOR MED
660 lives were rescued in the Central Mediterranean Sea in five different activities run by the German FGS BERLIN 
[159 KB] and the Spanish frigate Canarias [193 KB] during 24th and 25thDecember.
The unusual, for the time being, calm sea waters boosted the flow of migrants from the Libyan coast.
While patrolling the assigned area of operations, the two naval assets in service within Eunavfor Med operation Sophia, were requested to intervene in favor of several vessels sailing in distress towards the Italian coast.
Operating in full and effective coordination, the two ship managed to accomplish the given rescue missions without incidents. All the migrants were then transferred to a naval asset of the Italian coastguard and to the ONG asset Siem Pilot in order to allow the military ships to go back to their duty against human smuggling and trafficking.
Launched last 22nd of June, EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia have been involved in 44 rescue operations saving more than 8100 lives.
