TRIPOLI, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The Libyan navy on Thursday rescued 301 illegal immigrants on two boats that broke down at sea, Libyan navy spokesperson said.
"A coastguard patrol managed to rescue 301 illegal immigrants off the coast of Garrabulli town, some 55 km east of the capital Tripoli," spokesperson Ayob Qassem told Xinhua.
The rescued are of different African nationalities, including 46 children and three women, Qassem said.
"The rescue operation lasted for hours and was very stressful for the coast guards patrol, given the large number of the people on the two boats," Qassem added.
The illegal immigrants were taken to the Tripoli naval base and handed over to the anti-illegal immigration department in Tripoli, the spokesperson said.
This week, illegal immigration flows off the western Libyan coast increased. The Libyan navy rescued 273 illegal immigrants and recovered another 17 bodies who drowned at sea during separate rescue operations.
Libya is a preferred point of departure for illegal immigrants who want to cross the Mediterranean towards Europe, due to the state of insecurity and chaos.
Improved weather conditions increase the flows towards Europe, particularly off the western coast of Libya.
