Frontex has extended Joint Operation Triton in the Central Mediterranean until the end of 2015 to continue supporting Italy at its maritime borders and help save the lives of migrants stranded at sea.
“All vessels and aircraft taking part in operation Triton actively contribute to the detection and rescue of people in distress and will now continue to do so for the rest of this year,” said Frontex Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri.
Since the launch of Joint Operation Triton on 1 November 2014, nearly 22,300 migrants have been saved, including more than 7,000 with the direct participation of vessels and aircraft taking part in the operation. Most of the search and rescue takes place in the international waters some 40 NM off the Libyan coast.