British sailors have rescued 15,000 migrants from the Mediterranean

Royal Navy sailors have rescued practically 15,000 migrants from the Mediterranean and dropped them off in Europe, figures present.

Marines armed with SA-80 assault rifles have additionally smashed up and burned 110 smuggling gang boats throughout their 18-month migrant mission.

The commanding officer of HMS Enterprise, one of many ships given the job of rescuing migrants, has praised the work executed by his sailors.

Royal Navy sailors have rescued practically 15,000 migrants from the Mediterranean and dropped them off in Europe, figures present 

The commanding officer of HMS Enterprise, one of many ships given the job of rescuing migrants, has praised the work executed by his sailors

Commander Philip Harper stated: 'During the last yr and a half my ship has rescued 1000's of males, ladies and youngsters at sea. 

'It has dented the exercise of felony teams. It has been humbling to see my sailors come to assistance from harmless souls in peril, and perform their roles with professionalism.'

A handful of the migrants have then made the journey to Britain after being allowed free practice rides throughout Italy and France by the authorities there.

A few of them have stayed within the UK after having their asylum software rejected. Others from war-torn states have been granted the correct to stay.

Hamad Stated, 23, from war-ravaged South Sudan, was rescued by sailors on HMS Bulwark 9 hours into his perilous journey from Libya in 2015.

He was dropped off in Italy then made a five-week journey to Calais by practice, earlier than leaping on a lorry to enter Britain illegally.

The Every day Mail revealed that Mr Stated was granted residency a number of months later, and he stated that since then he has stopped getting advantages. 'I can't thank the Royal Navy sufficient for what they've executed to save lots of 1000's of individuals,' he stated final night time.

'I used to be granted a brand new life. I thank them with all my coronary heart and I thank Britain for offering me with every little thing I want in life.'

Since April of 2015 the Royal Navy has deployed 5 ships to rescue migrants.

Based on Ministry of Defence figures, they've rescued 14,900 migrants in complete as a part of the EU mission to sort out folks smuggling. This contains 900 rescued in two operations final week by HMS Echo.

Hamad Stated (pictured), 23, from war-ravaged South Sudan, was rescued by sailors on HMS Bulwark 9 hours into his perilous journey from Libya in 2015 

The Navy has additionally destroyed 110 smuggling gang vessels 'deemed hazardous to transport'. Greater than 30,000 migrants have been rescued in complete within the £9.3million EU mission – codenamed Operation Sophia – that means that Britain saved practically half of them. All had been taken to Italy.

Tory MP Peter Bone stated: 'It's fairly proper that we rescue folks in peril within the sea and the Royal Navy is doing a terrific job.

'Nevertheless, we have to go after the trafficking gangs. In the event you can cease it at supply then you definately finish this evil commerce.

'In the event you don't go to the supply then we'll find yourself endlessly rescuing folks from the ocean.' The Residence Workplace additionally despatched border power cutters to save lots of migrants crossing the perilous sea. It refused to reveal what number of had been rescued, however it's understood to be 1000's.

Armed Forces minister Mike Penning stated: 'We've made clear from the beginning that the UK would give attention to tackling the issue at supply, smashing the felony gangs that revenue from buying and selling with the lives of others.

'Our ships and their crews have supplied invaluable assist within the Mediterranean and, along with hitting folks smugglers exhausting, have saved 15,000 lives.'

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