An Italian navy ship carrying 812 migrants and refugees docked in the Sicilian port of Messina on Saturday, according a commanding officer of the Italian Navy.
The migrants were rescued in two operations off the Libyan coast involving the navy ships "Bersagliere" and "Cigala Fulgosi".
The Commanding Officer of the "Bersagliere", Captain Salvatore Di Grande, said good weather conditions allowed for the rescue operation, 30 nautical miles (55 kilometers) off the Libyan coast, to be carried out "with no real difficulties".
Most of the migrants are Eritrean nationals, while others came from Sub-Saharan African countries, including many of the women and children on board.
Aid workers provided assistance to the migrants after they disembarked as police officers began identifying the new arrivals before sending them to hosting centers across Italy.
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