Rescuers rescued 394 migrants from dangerous overcrowded boat near Tunisia Reuters

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ABOARD SEA-WATCH 3, Mediterranean (Reuters)-A Reuters witness said that two humanitarian rescue ships rescued 394 migrants from dangerous overcrowded wooden boats in the Mediterranean on Sunday and overnight. The operation lasted approximately Six hours.

The German and French NGO ships Sea-Watch 3 and Ocean Viking rescued migrants in Tunisian waters 68 kilometers (42 miles) from the coast of North Africa, close to oil facilities and other ships.

Sea-Watch 3 assumed command of the operation and took 141 survivors, while Ocean Viking took the rest. Nadir, a yacht from the German NGO ResQ Ship, later provided support.

It is not yet clear whether the immigrants on the ship have suffered casualties. The deck and interior of the wooden boat are crowded with immigrants.

Witnesses from Reuters said the ship was entering water and the engine was not working.

As weather conditions improve, the number of migrant ships departing from Libya and Tunisia to Italy and other parts of Europe has increased in recent months.

According to the International Organization for Migration under the United Nations, more than 1,100 people fled conflict and poverty in Africa and the Middle East this year and died in the Mediterranean.

Witnesses from Reuters said that in this latest rescue, many migrants were seen jumping off the boat and trying to swim to Sea-Watch 3.

The immigrants are mainly men from Morocco, Bangladesh, Egypt and Syria.