57 new landings, 25 feared dead

The wail of a nine-month old baby accompanied the arrival of the first of three groups of illegal immigrants into Malta yesterday, as the Mediterranean once again grapples with a fresh tide of people fleeing Africa.

In the meantime, unconfirmed reports say that a boat with 25 illegal immigrants had disappeared in choppy waters between Malta and Libya.

Three groups reached Haywharf yesterday - nine at 10 a.m., 20 from the same boatload at 10.45 a.m., and another 28 last night.

The first group of immigrants from Ethiopia and Somalia said they left Libya about three days ago before their 15-foot boat started taking in water some 60 miles south of Malta.

A number of those saved appeared to be in a poor state as they disembarked from the Armed Forces of Malta patrol boat. A youth called for medical help, another collapsed, and one man showed photographers his terribly deformed feet. Glorianne Briffa, the doctor on site, said, however, the immigrants were merely tired and suffering the effects of sea salt and days at sea.

The immigrants were rescued after the Rome rescue coordination centre on Wednesday alerted the AFM that a boat was in distress.

An army boat - taking part in the Frontex patrols, which, incidentally, come to a close today - was dispatched to render assistance.

Capt. James Griscti told reporters the rescue operation had to be temporarily suspended yesterday at about 2 a.m. as the sea got rougher. Nine men had been transferred by then.

The remaining immigrants were monitored until a large vessel provided cover for the AFM. One of the soldiers sustained superficial injuries during the transfer operation.

The last few days have seen a sudden surge in migratory flows, possibly as a result of the fine weather.

On Wednesday, a total of 54 African migrants landed in two separate groups in Malta.

Another nine immigrants are still feared dead after their boat capsized off Sicily on Wednesday, close to Maltese territorial waters.

Though the incident took place in Maltese search and rescue waters, it was eight hours away from effective action and, because of this, the Italians were asked to conduct the mission, the AFM said.