Ionian Sea-Coast Guard operation, 59 migrants saved - Last hour. 59 people, including 2 pregnant women, who were on a vessel in difficulty because it was overcrowded.

The rescue, according to the NGO Mediterranea, took place 43 miles south of Lampedusa. The Mare Jonio Rescue Team stabilized the boat in danger, distributed life jackets and transferred the first castaways to the Italian Coast Guard patrol boat. Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA.