Teams from MSF and SOS Mediteranee help refugees and migrants transfer from a small wooden boat in the Mediterranean sea 03 October during rescue operations.

The Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) search and rescue teams on board the Bourbon Argos, the Dignity I and the Aquarius (run in partnership with SOS Mediteranee)rescued nearly 2000 men, women and children from 11 separate boats in less than 7 hours on 03 October. Many of the rescues were conducted in dramatic circumstances, with some patients requiring evacuation to the Italian mainland. Tragically, one young pregnant woman died after being rescued by the Dignity I and before she was able to be transferred to land.