Royal Navy Rescues Refugees In Mediterranean

More than 100 refugees have been rescued from the Mediterranean by the Royal Navy's flagship in its first mission since being sent to the region.

HMS Bulwark picked up the migrants after going to investigate a large rubber boat which was adrift.

The group of around 110 people were then taken to land by the Italian coastguard.

The 19,000-tonne assault ship was sent to the Mediterranean on Monday as part of the UK's contribution to help tackle the migrant crisis, which has cost the lives of nearly 1,800 people this year and seen thousands taken ashore.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "HMS Bulwark, working with the Italian coastguard... investigated a large rubber boat with approximately 110 individuals on board.

"The individuals were rescued using Bulwark's landing craft before being transferred on to the Italian coastguard's vessel and taken to land.

"Everyone was transferred safely and HMS Bulwark remains on task."

David Cameron committed the vessel , designed to put ashore Royal Marine commandos in assaults by sea, on 23 April ahead of an emergency EU summit to discuss how European countries could cooperate to halt the mounting number of migrant deaths.

The Prime Minister said at the time: "Saving lives means rescuing these poor people, but it also means smashing the gangs and stabilising the region.

"Now Britain, as ever, will help. We'll use our aid budget to help stabilise neighbouring countries. And as the country in Europe with the biggest defence budget, we can make a real contribution."

Mr Cameron also promised three Merlin helicopters to the rescue effort.

He has made clear that while Britain would play a role in tackling the current crisis in the Mediterranean, it would not offer refugees asylum in the UK.