Two humanitarian ships rescue nearly 400 migrants in Mediterranean Sea

According to Al-Jazeera, around 394 migrants were pulled out by the German and French NGO ships Sea-Watch 3 and Ocean Viking in an operation lasting about six hours in Tunisian waters 68km (42 miles) from the North African coast.

The operation was led by Sea-Watch 3 which took 141 of the survivors while Ocean Viking rescued the rest. The yacht Nadir, from the German NGO ResQ Ship, later gave support.

The migrants were mainly men from Bangladesh, Morocco, Egypt and Syria.

There are no reports about any injuries or casualties among the migrants who were in the wooden boat. Reportedly, the craft was taking in water and its engine was not working.

Migrant boat departures from Tunisia and Libya to Italy and other parts of Europe have seen a surge in recent months due to improving weather conditions.

As per United Nations-affiliated International Organization for Migration, more than 1,100 people escaping poverty and conflict in Africa and the Middle East have died this year in the Mediterranean.