Armed forces rescue illegal migrants

The Armed Forces of Malta yesterday rescued 20 illegal male migrants from a boat which developed an engine failure. The boat was about 55 miles south east of Grand Harbour. The army said it was informed of the migrants by the Panama registered bulk...

The Armed Forces of Malta yesterday rescued 20 illegal male migrants from a boat which developed an engine failure.

The boat was about 55 miles south east of Grand Harbour.

The army said it was informed of the migrants by the Panama registered bulk carrier Maya B which relayed the information to the Rescue Coordination Centre Malta.

The carrier remained close by in case the migrants needed any other assistance.

The army deployed an Islander aircraft to assess the situation and a patrol boat sailed out and took on board the men in spite of force six winds and 1.5 metre swells, the army said.

The migrants were brought ashore at Haywharf, in Pietà, the base of the army's maritime squadron and were then handed over to the immigration police.

Five of the migrants claimed to be North Africans and the rest Sub Saharans.

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