Nearly 200 asylum seekers rescued by Dutch ship

Dutch navy frigate Zr. Ms. Van Amstel rescued 193 asylum seekers on the Mediterranean Sea on Tuesday afternoon, the Ministry of Defense said on Wednesday. The Dutch frigate is taking part in operation Triton of European border agency Frontex, according to ANP. 

The asylum seekers, including 40 woman and 16 children, were trying to cross the sea from Egypt to Sicily on an old boat. After seven days at sea the boat threatened to sink and they sent out a distress call, to which the Dutch frigate responded.

According to the Ministry, the Dutch mariners found panic on the boat. The asylum seekers were rescued and taken to an Italian port.