Libya rescues about 500 refugees off western coasts

‘The Libyan coast guard has carried out three separate rescue missions off the western coasts, saving about 500 refugees trying to cross the Mediterranean into Europe.
A Libyan naval forces spokesman said on Tuesday that about half of the refugees were rescued off the two coasts of Tripoli and Sabratha.
They were mainly from the sub-Saharan countries although people from Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia were also on board, the spokesman said.
“Coast guards rescued early morning today 140 illegal migrants west of Tripoli and another group of 164 migrants were rescued off Sabratha including seven women and six children,” said the spokesman.
Officials said another 150 refugees were rescued later in the day off Tripoli.’
Read more: Libya rescues about 500 refugees off western coasts