Italy: 3,500 migrants picked up through naval and coast guard operation

Footage was published by the Italian Coast Guard Sunday, showing a large-scale operation which led to 3,480 migrants being picked up in the Mediterranean on Saturday. The action was carried out in a joint effort of the coast guard and European navy units. The migrants' barges were floating in the waters about 72km (45 miles) off the Libyan coast. After reportedly receiving emergency signals, the Italian Coast Guard coordinated 15 different missions - involving three patrol ships and an ATR 42 aircraft of the coast guard. Three of the ships were from the German and Irish navies. The migrants are believed to be mostly from Eritrea. Footage courtesy of the Italian Coast Guard