A baby girl has been born on board the Irish naval ship the LÉ Eithne during a rescue operation in the Mediterranean.

The ship's crew rescued 703 refugees & migrants from five inflatable boats yesterday, during a major operation around 83km off the coast of Libya.

While en route to the 'port of safety' in Cantina, Sicily, medics from the Defence Forces assisted in the delivery of a baby girl.

Both mother and baby are said to be healthy and well.

The hundreds of rescued people received food and water on board the LÉ Eithne, with medical treatment also provided to those who required it.

The ship is expected to arrive in Sicily tomorrow morning.

LÉ Eithne returned to the Mediterranean in May as part of the ongoing Operation PONTUS, following its first deployment in 2015.