Search for missing migrant called off

The Armed Forces of Malta called off the search for an illegal immigrant who disappeared as a group of Africans were being transferred to an army vessel on Sunday night.

Another two immigrants - two young men - died during the rescue operation on Sunday. Weary and evidently in shock, the survivors - 24 men and two women - were brought ashore yesterday morning.

The incident took place about 30 miles south off Malta when an army patrol was dispatched to assist the migrants.

As soon as the patrol vessel reached the boat, the immigrants asked to be taken to Malta because they were tired and the sea was getting rougher, the army said.

Realising that the migrants' boat was taking water, the army signalled to the immigrants that it would be better if they boarded the patrol boat.

As the operation got underway, the immigrants rushed to one side, causing the boat to capsize. In the ensuing confusion, two of the immigrants died and one went missing.

Throughout Sunday, the Maltese army's operations centre was kept busy with a number of illegal immigrant boat sightings and incidents.

The AFM maintained close contact with the neighbouring countries about the cases tackled.

Various satellite phone calls were reportedly made by fleeing Africans to Marsa Open Centre claiming they were in distress in a number of boats in various locations on the high seas. No contact or sightings were made to verify the reports.

On Sunday afternoon, Tunis informed the AFM that a group of 58 on board a rubber dinghy had boarded a fishing-vessel.

Suspecting piracy, an AFM aircraft was dispatched to the area while a patrol vessel, which was in the vicinity, was also dispatched and its crew prepared their ship-boarding and hostage-rescue procedures.

Later, however, Tunis informed the AFM that the situation reverted back to normal because the migrants had left the boat and were on their dinghy alongside the fishing boat.

The immigrants, including 18 females and four children, later steered on their own steam towards Lampedusa, without requesting further assistance.

Capitalising on the fine weather, several African immigrants are reportedly trying to make the daring crossing to Europe. Another 25 immigrants were intercepted in Sicily yesterday and 44 landed in Lampedusa.

No fewer than 500 fleeing Africans have landed on the tiny Italian island since Sunday, prompting the near collapse of its tiny reception centre.