73 migrants rescued by Armed Forces of Malta

The fourth boatload of migrants under a week will arrive to Malta later in the day, after their dinghy was intercepted near Malta.

The 73 migrants rescued today add to the 95 asylum seekers who arrived on Friday and Saturday morning.

The Armed Forces of Malta's Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Malta) at Luqa Barracks dispatched an Alouette helicopter to the scene to evaluate the situation. After a search was conducted, the boat in distress was located some 32 nautical miles south of Malta, and appeared to be adrift in relatively heavy seas and strong winds.

The AFM's P51 arrived on scene at 10am, and located a dinghy powered by an outboard engine. The rescue operation was significantly hampered by the inclement weather in the area, but by noon the AFM had successfully rescued all the party in distress, which was made up of 22 women and 51 men.
 
All those rescued are reported to be in reasonable health.

Early Saturday morning at 1:30am, the AFM brought in 47 migrants located south-west of Zurrieq at six nautical miles out at sea. They included women and children.

Two AFM patrol boats and helicopter were dispatched to search and rescue the migrants, who were taken on board the two patrol boats.

Earlier at 8:40pm on Friday, 48 migrants were escorted to Malta after they were spotted in the area of Filfla. The 38 men and eight women of unknown nationality were met by AFM and Police personnel in the area of Ghar Lapsi, Zurrieq, after two AFM patrol boats and a helicopter were dispatched.

They include two pregnant women who were reported to be in good physical health.

Another 90 persons landed in the area of Ghajn Tuffieha two weeks ago.

The migrants will be accommodated at a closed detention centre for medical screening before being informed of their right to seek asylum in Malta.