Malta Today reported that the forced repatriation operation involving 74 migrants that took place on 18 June was the first time that Frontex ever coordinated a forced repatriation operation at sea.
“Even though the migrants were intercepted by an Italian coast guard boat, the same migrants, that included women and children, were identified by a Frontex asset that followed the operation through.”
The operation, part of Nautilus IV, used a German helicopter, the Italian coast guard, and a Libyan patrol boat.
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A Maritime Border Surveillance (MarBorSur) meeting will be held at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in Ispra, Italy on 30 June 2009.
ANSA – PALERMO, 19 GIU – Nuovo respingimento nel Canale di Sicilia: un barcone con 76 migranti, e’ stato intercettato da una motovedetta della Guardia Costiera.Il barcone era stato segnalato ieri a 29 miglia a Sud di Lampedusa, in acque di competenza maltese per quanto riguarda le operazioni di ricerca e soccorso. Secondo fonti militari maltesi, gli extracomunitari, tra cui donne e bambini, sarebbero stati consegnati a una motovedetta libica e riportati a Tripoli.
MIGRANTS AT SEA 