More illegal immigrants brought in

Another 21 illegal immigrants were brought to Haywharf by the Armed Forces of Malta after they were spotted stranded at sea by the crew of a fishing trawler 73 nautical miles southeast of Delimara.

The group included four children and a baby with 14 men and two women. The immigrants claimed they were from South Africa, Congo, Liberia and Somalia.

The AFM said that on Saturday evening they were informed by the skipper of a fishing trawler that a boat had been spotted adrift with children on board.

A Protector Class patrol boat was sent to the area to investigate and found out that the outboard motor of the boat had mechanical problems and that the immigrants had been at sea for several days. But none was in need of urgent medical assistance, the AFM said.

The immigrants were taken on board the P52 patrol boat and taken to the AFM Maritime Squadron base at Haywharf. They were later handed over to the police for investigations.

The immigrants are being accommodated at the AFM Safi barracks.

There are 1,035 immigrants in the hands of the police and army at the moment.