The Irish navy have rescued another 551 people in the Mediterranean.

The LÉ Niamh rescued the people from a wooden barge 55 kilometres off the coast of Libya.

While at the scene another vessel with around 700 migrants on board approached the LÉ Niamh.

They were given assistance and taken on board a Medecin Sans Frontiers vessel in the area.

The LÉ Niamh is now making its way to Trapani in Italy.

It brings to almost 2,500 the number of people rescued by the Irish ship over the past few months.