In an operation involving Italian and French navy vessels, more than 4,000 migrants have been rescued in 17 separate operations off the coast of Libya, the Italian Coastguard has said.

The Coastguard said that is expects the rescue operations to continue throughout today, as people smugglers take advantage of calm seas,

The spokesman of the Italian Coastguard said that all of those rescued were being brought back to Italian shores, with some reaching Lampedusa, during last night.

There are also 369 people, mainly from Eritrea, on board the M.O.A.S. ship the MY Phoenix, which left Malta yesterday to assist in the rescue missions. They were rescued in a joint operation with MSF Sea Rescue.

The migrants are being cared for by M.O.A.S. and MSF Sea Rescue. They were transfered using RGIBs.

Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) is an NGO that saves lives at sea. After rescuing 3,000 migrants in 2014 it set sail again on the 2nd of May and will remain until Oct 2015.

In this year’s operation it will be partnering up with Doctors Without Borders (MSF) which will take care of the post-rescue care of migrants taken on board.

The 40-foot wood boat in the photograph above by contains 369 people – Photo M.O.A.S. and MSF Sea Rescue

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