AFM involved in search as 500 migrants land on Lampedusa

The Armed Forces of Malta yesterday co-ordinated the rescue of some 65 migrants drifting in a rubber dinghy 50 miles off Lampedusa.

An AFM aircraft was also scrambled twice in an unsuccessful attempt to locate another boat reported in the central Mediterranean.

The 65 migrants were picked up by an Italian Navy vessel and landed in Lampedusa, raising to over 500 the number of migrants who landed on the Italian island between Friday and yesterday.

Smaller landings were also reported on the Italian islands of Pantelleria and Sardenia but none at Malta.

The search for the 65 migrants started after the Italian authorities were alerted through a phone call.

The second search started after a Somali migrant in Italy phoned the Rome rescue centre to say that his brother was on a boat in the Mediterranean heading towards Italy.

The position given was in the Malta rescue region. He gave the number of a satellite phone held by his brother but no contact was made, although there was a ringing tone.

Among the 500 migrants who landed in Lampedusa were 368 who arrived on a single boat yesterday.

Weather and sea conditions in the central Mediterranean are currently calm, making it easier for migrants to cross from North Africa.