US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said in a statement Tuesday that immigrants stranded in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya were rescued after US military personnel heard their distress signal on July 21. "After receiving the distress signal via radio, US Air Forces Africa responded to the distress beacon and coordinated with Libyan and Maltese naval authorities for rescue aid." “Our routine surveillance along the North Africa Coast gave us an opportunity to lend a helping hand,” said US Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, AFRICOM. "This rescue operation, with coordination and assistance from U.S. European Command, was a team effort on behalf of people in distress. On July 23, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency reported the Libyan Coast Guard rescued all 131 passengers from the distressed migrant vessel and brought them to safety.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 29, 2020 19:17 UTC