Baby, pregnant woman and children among those saved on refugee boat off Libyan coast

A boat belonging to a Spanish aid organisation rescued 391 refugees attempting the dangerous crossing of the Mediterranean Sea.

Laura Lanuza, spokeswoman for Spain's Proactiva Open Arms aid group, says that its ship Golfo Azzurro on Saturday took on board 243 people from two smugglers' boats it intercepted in international waters off the coast of Libya.

Lanuza says the refugees included one baby, a pregnant woman and several children.

The aid boat also saved another 148 people that it transferred to an Italian coast guard vessel.

Lawless Libya is one of the prime spots for smugglers to launch their unseaworthy boats packed with migrants and refugees. Thousands have perished in recent years attempting the crossing.