A group of 30 illegal immigrants entered in the southern part of Malta on Saturday evening at 19:00CET. Meanwhile, the AFM Operations Centre is conducting a search operation for 15 persons reported missing approximately 40 NM East of Delimara after allegedly they found themselves in difficulty while navigating in a small boat. Another 12 of the group were rescued and brought to Malta at 06:00CET on Sunday morning.
The incident was reported to the AFM Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) by MRCC Rome on Saturday evening. It transpired that an Italian Fishing Vessel encountered 12 'persons in water', 40 NM East of Malta. The survivors stated that they had been on a boat with another 15 persons when they found themselves in difficulty and the boat sank. A search by an AFM Patrol Vessel was initiated during the night in the last known position of the survivors in order to rescue the reported missing persons. The fishing vessel conveyed the 12 rescued persons to Malta and these have been handed over to the Police Authorities at 0600CET on Sunday.
The search operation continued on Sunday morning when a fixed wing 'Islander' Aircraft commenced a search at 0530 hours. A Protector Class Patrol Vessel has also set sail to assist in the search for any possible survivors.
The immigrants who were rescued were processed by the Police and later handed over to the Detention Services for accommodation and further investigations.
These were the fourth and fifth groups of illegal immigrants to reach the Maltese shores this week.
Read more about this issue on MaltaMedia's special feature:
Lanċa Ġejja u Oħra Sejra: Malta and its migrations.
See also:
Another 28 illegal immigrants reach Malta
by MaltaMedia News - Jul 28, 2006
© Copyright 2006 - MaltaMedia Online Network
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