HMS Bulwark rescues 1,000 in one day in largest operation to date

The crew of Royal Navy vessel HMS Bulwark have rescued more than 1,000 migrants in just one day in their largest operation to date.

In one operation at least 10 pregnant women were saved. The latest mission brings the total number of people rescued by the ship to 2,700.

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HMS Bulwark expects to rescue over 1,000 migrants today

HMS Bulwark was called to assist with its largest rescue operation since deploying last month. Credit: Royal Navy

The crew of Royal Navy vessel HMS Bulwark expects to have rescued more than 1,000 migrants by the end of today.

Rescued migrants awaiting assistance onboard HMS Bulwark. Credit: Royal Navy

ITV News' Carl Dinnen reports that 378 people were rescued from just one wooden boat this morning in the sea off Libya.

Rescued migrants gathered onboard HMS Bulwark. Credit: Royal Navy

The crew have also rescued people from six inflatable boats and a seventh that was picked up by the Italian Coast Guard.

HMS Bulwark deployed as the UK 'doesn't walk on by'

Britain is a country that "doesn't walk on by", David Cameron said as HMS Bulwark undertook another rescue mission off the coast of Libya.

Arriving at the G7 summit in Germany, the Prime Minister said the flagship had been deployed because Britain is a "country with a conscience".

"HMS Bulwark, the Royal Navy flagship, is in the Mediterranean because we want to save lives," Cameron said.

But he warned, "We need to deal with the causes of this migration, not simply with its consequences."

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HMS Bulwark aids rescue of at least 500 migrants

HMS Bulwark has begun a rescue mission to save at least 500 migrants found in four boats in the seas off Libya.

"From first light this morning, a Merlin helicopter from 814 Squadron onboard HMS Bulwark has been conducting surveillance operations and has identified four migrant vessels in distress, containing a total of at least 500 people," a Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said.

At least four vessels are said to be in distress. Credit: Pool

"HMS Bulwark has now commenced rescue operations to recover those in the vessels."

HMS Bulwark has now commenced rescue operations to recover the boats. Credit: Pool

It is estimated that more than 1,600 people have drowned so far this year trying to make the crossing.

HMS Bulwark in race to rescue thousands more migrants

Many of the boats migrants are on do not even have engines. Credit: ITV News

Royal Navy ship HMS Bulwark has already helped save the lives of more than 4,000 migrants - and tonight it will rescue more.

There are reports another 3,000 migrants have left Libya today, many on boats which are unseaworthy and do not even have engines.

After being towed out to sea, they are left to drift for days by human traffickers.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, who is aboard the ship tonight, told ITV News Europe is still not doing enough to tackle the problem.

He said: "The whole of Europe really need to adopt a more comprehensive approach to get after the traffickers, to understand how they're making money out of this trade in human misery and to do more to discourage people from leaving these countries."

Political correspondent Carl Dinnen reports from HMS Bulwark:

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