Another busy day for EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s assets
This early morning the Spanish air force aircraft VIGMA D-4 
spotted at sea, north of Sabrata in International Waters, 5 rubber boats with hundreds of migrants on board in distress conditions, reporting the position and dropping a S.A.R. kit in order to help them waiting the arrival of the naval units.
At the beginning the AB 212 helicopter , embarked on the Spanish frigate Numancia , took off in support of the naval assets joining the position.
An enhanced flow that, under the coordination of the Italian Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, required the effort of all the assets in the area. Therefore, fully in accordance with the International Law of the Sea and Refugee Conventions, EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia has participated in the rescue operations saving around 480 migrants with the German auxiliary ship FRANKFURT , the Spanish frigate NUMANCIA , and German frigate KARLSRUHE .
EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA, launched on the 22nd of June 2015, has entered its second phase last October 7th. Thus far the Operation has contributed to save more than 13000 people while 68 people have been reported to the Italian Authorities as possible smugglers and around 110 vessels have been removed from illegal organizations’ availability.