Illegal immigrants rescued from rough sea

In what the army called a near-impossible mission, yesterday, 22 illegal immigrants were rescued from rough sea with strong winds blowing from the north east. In a statement late last night, the army said it had earlier in the day received information...

In what the army called a near-impossible mission, yesterday, 22 illegal immigrants were rescued from rough sea with strong winds blowing from the north east.

In a statement late last night, the army said it had earlier in the day received information of a boat in distress with about 25 illegal immigrants on board some 65 miles south of Malta.

The army could not reach the boat because of the inclement weather and instructed a cargo ship registered in Panama and which was in the area to go to the immigrants' rescue.

In the operation, the cargo ship managed to take 22 immigrants on board. A search for survivors was carried out but none was found.

Making use of rubber dinghies, the army was expected last night to meet the cargo vessel in Maltese waters, and bring the immigrants ashore, the army added.

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