Drones launched from British ships may be sent to scour Mediterranean in bid to search for migrants

Surveillance drones launched from Royal Navy ships could be sent to scour the Mediterranean as part of Britain’s effort to combat the migrant crisis, under plans being drawn up by defence chiefs.

The Navy’s new ScanEagle remote-controlled aircraft would search for dangerously overloaded boats packed with people making the perilous crossing from Libya to Europe.

David Cameron has already offered HMS Bulwark, two Border Force cutters and three Merlin helicopters for search and rescue efforts after international outcry at the loss of life in the Mediterranean this year.

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