The LÉ Samuel Beckett has rescued 102 people in the Mediterranean.

The naval vessel was sent to the scene off the cost of Tripoli at 6 o'clock this morning, where the crew found an inflatable raft with 100 adults and two children on board, some 50km north west of the Libyan capital of Tripoli.

The refugees were taken on board the ship and are receiving food, water and medical attention. Two children were among the crowd.

The LÉ Samuel Becket is the third Irish vessel to work in the Mediterranean as part of Operation Pontus – after the LÉ Eithne and LÉ Niamh.