Italian navy rescues migrants in Maltese waters

Italian coast guards rescue 432 asylum seekers in two separate operations, including one in Maltese waters

The Italian navy has rescued 432 asylum seekers in two separate operations carried out yesterday afternoon and early Thursday morning.

342 migrants were rescued in Maltese waters in the early hours of Thursday morning, after the Maltese authorities asked the Italian navy to rescue the asylum seekers who left Libya on a rickety boat.

Three of the migrants required urgent treatment were taken to Lampedusa while the rest of the migrants are still on their weay to a yet unknown destination.

In a separate operation, 90 asylum seekers were salvaged by the Italian navy on Wednesday afternoon. The migrants were rescued after finding themselves in difficulties while in Libyan waters.