Record number of AFM rescues in 2018

Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia presented data in Parliament that showed that 2,731 persons were rescued at sea by the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) in 2018, a record figure.

The 2,731 persons were rescued in a total of 88 rescue operations conducted by the AFM.

Farrugia was replying to a question posed by Labour whip Byron Camilleri.

Rescue operations carried out by the AFM between 2013 and 2018

The closest figure to the record-breaking statistic in 2018 comes in 2013, with 1,854 persons rescued at sea during 76 operations throughout the year.

The data also reveals that, so far, only one person has been rescued by the AFM in 2019.