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Around 100 children saved in Med during night-time rescue

Night time rescue aboard Save the Children's search and rescue ship.

Early on Tuesday morning, in complete darkness, our life-saving ship conducted its latest rescue mission.

Following a call from the Italian Coast Guard, our on-board team spotted an overcrowded wooden boat in need of help off the coast of North Africa.

Approximately 100 children – thought to be alone – rescued

When our ship arrived, our team found that more than 400 people were on board.

Among them were around 100 children and several pregnant women.

The majority of the children were thought to be travelling alone – without parents or family to look after them.

Over the course of three hours, our rescue team and two over vessels transferred all 400 refugees and migrants from the wooden boat safely onto our ship, the Vos Hestia.

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Night time rescue aboard Save the Children's search and rescue ship.

Giving specialist help

Several people were unwell and needed immediate attention from our on-board medical team, and our specialist child protection experts gave psycho-social support to all children on board.

The Vos Hestia arrived at the Sicilian port of Trapani this morning.

Our staff on land were waiting, ready to give all children access to their basic needs and make sure that they knew their rights.

Saving thousands of lives

Since launching in August this year, our search and rescue ship has saved more than 2600 people, including more than 600 children.

Over 4,000 people, including 600 children, have drowned in the Mediterranean this year. This makes 2016 the deadliest year on record for those making this perilous journey.

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