350 migrants rescued

2012-08-19 09:12

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has launched an initiative to protect the ocean. (AP)

Rome - More than 350 migrants were rescued off the coast of the Italian island of Lampedusa on Saturday after their boat got into difficulties in rough seas, Ansa news agency reported.

The 15m-long wooden boat was in bad repair when rescue units arrived after the vessel was spotted from the air. Rescuers took 231 people off the boat and brought them to safety. Later another 126 refugees were taken from a somewhat smaller boat and also brought to safety, according to Ansa. That boat also had been spotted from the air.

There were several children among the migrants, who were believed to be from Africa. They were brought to a receiving facility on Lampedusa.

- SAPA