These are dramatic and touching photos of stranded migrants rescued off the coast of Libya trying to cross to Europe for a better life.
Spanish and Italian naval ships rescued thousands of stranded migrants off the Libyan coast
In a very concerted effort, Spanish and Italian naval ships, along with vessels from non-government groups have rescued thousands of migrants off the Libyan coast.
According to AFP, Monday's dramatic operation took place just 21 kilometers (13 miles) north of the town of Sabratha in Libya. Also, Proactiva Open Arms and Doctors Without Borders are helping take on some 3,000 people who had been travelling in some 20 small wooden boats.
The dramatic scene saw migrants from Eritrea and Somalia rescued with some jumping into the water and swimming toward to safety while others carefully carried babies onto the rescue ships.
The rescued were among the tens of thousands of Africans who take the dangerous Mediterranean Sea route to Europe in search of a better life.