Updated | Thirty-eight rescued, dozens missing after Tunisian warship collides into migrant boat

The Armed Forces of Malta said that at least eight people have drowned and with a number of others remain missing at sea

At least eight people have drowned and several others are lost at sea after a collision in the Maltese search and rescue region (SAR)  between refugees and a Tunisian vessel.

The incident occurred at around 2am, when a Tunisian military ship "accidentally" rammed a migrant vessel.

The irregular migrants’ boat was carrying around 70 people, according to reports in the Italian media. Around 40 have been rescued whilst countless others remain missing.

Italian coastguards were sent in to assist with the rescue operation. They are reportedly being assisted by Maltese authorities and the Armed Forces of Malta.

According to the Armed Forces of Malta, the Maltese Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC MT) was informed that by "Tunisian counterparts" that the Tunisian navy was invlved in a rescue operation in the early hours of the morning at a position between Tunisia and Lampedusa, following a collision between a Tunisian navy vessel and a boat carrying migrants that had departed from Tunisia.

"Follwing a request for assistance, RCC MT is coordinating the case and providing for search efforts together with the assistance of the Italian navy in addition to  the Tunisian Navy. As of yet, the Tunisian Navy is reported to have rescued 38 persons while 8 decreased persons have been recovered," said the AFM.