An Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) patrol boat had been dispatched to the north of Malta and was monitoring the boatload sighted by passengers aboard cruise liner Jules Verne. Shortly after this sighting on Friday morning the cruise liner, headed towards Valletta’s Grand Harbour, encountered another boatload of 28 illegal immigrants. A number of these illegal immigrants, who were reportedly in a poor health condition, were taken aboard the Jules Verne. Between 10 and 15 others are thought to have drowned. The Jules Verne arrived in Malta on Friday night to drop off the immigrants before continuing on her cruise.

According to a spokesman for the Armed Forces, the African immigrants allegedly from Eritrea and Ethiopia, at no point asked for help or rescue as their boat floated for several hours in Maltese rescue waters, The Times of Malta reported. Asylum seekers have the right of free passage unless they specifically ask for help, or if the army deems the sea too rough for them to proceed on their journey.

During the night between Friday and Saturday, a Maltese patrol boat provided food and drink at the migrants' request, as well as life-jackets.

Meanwhile, another group of 13 illegal immigrants were expected to arrive at the AFM’s Maritime Base in Haywharf on Saturday night a police statement said.