Migrants rescued

The armed forces were involved in a search and rescue operation yesterday after a boat with 23 illegal immigrants on board was reported drifting about 15 nautical miles south west of Malta.

An AFM aircraft was dispatched to locate the boat and in turn two AFM patrol craft were deployed to carry out the rescue operation.

The illegal immigrants were taken on board the patrol craft and transported to Malta, with at least one of the men requiring medical attention.

The illegal immigrants, two women and 21 men, are claiming to be Somali nationals. The immigration police are looking into the matter.