13 migrants rescued, five believed drowned
An Italian fishing trawler has rescued 13 migrants but another five are believed to have drowned when their boat capsized in rough seas some 85 miles south east of Malta, the AFM said.
The trawler Pegaso raised the alarm at about 3.10 p.m. The 13 rescued men said another five migrants were missing, believed drowned .
The AFM deployed an Islander aircraft to conduct a search but there has been no sighting so far.
Meanwhile, one of the rescued migrants fell unconscious on the trawler and a Malta-based Italian Air Force AB212 rescue helicopter was scrambled to the scene to ferry him to Mater Dei Hospital.
The Pegaso is to bring the migrants to Malta early on Tuesday.
Picture: Some of the migrants rest on the Pegaso.
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Kamal Awad
May 27th 2008, 19:05
@ Dear I. M. Dingli
Thank you for you comment. ..
Short run policies never work.. Could you please suggest/inform me where would the European Union get money from to pay and safeguards pensions to its citizens within say 25 to 30 years?
Static shows that the shortage in man power in Europe increasing year by years. Yet for the situation to be more difficult the birth rate is going down.
Europeans to survive for the coming few decades with a good living standards. More European are needed.
A human being (not a robot) must be found today – Human being that work and pays taxes and national insurances. The future of the ageing European Population is at stake. By the way – money which EU spend today are collected from the past 2,3 generations.
I. M. Dingli
May 27th 2008, 09:12
@ Kamal AwadC
So you suggest that apart from feeding these persons and giving them shelter at our expense, we should train them and give them an education! Very good suggestion!?! I’m sorry sir, but I am paying enough taxes and not getting that much in return from my government and you expect me to support such a suggestion!
Kamal AwadC
May 26th 2008, 23:11
@Raymond Sammut
The whole thing is a bout SUPPLAY AND DEMAND
I comment on this economically based and ‘colonial’ related issue only when I come a across some one asking for a suggestion.
Before I suggest I would like first to state a fact.
The average birth rate in the EU is down to about 1.5 children per woman, raising fears that an ageing European population will not be able to finance pensions systems. This population’s deficit must be filled. This mean more man power is needed. This very simple fact Immigrants understand it. European citizens (politicians not included) don’t.
Suggest. But the EU may only require skilled immigrant?
Then, The European Commission should provide adequate finance to the European Union countries (Mainly southern Countries) not only to feed or shelter the immigrant but also to create a training center ETC –style. This center is to provide training to semi and or un-skilled immigrants and may also provide opportunities (within) for some un employed Maltese. In my humble opinion this is how to turn a ‘problem’ into a good opportunity – I guess this is where the EU politicians heading anyway.
E. Azzopardi
May 26th 2008, 22:42
And summer has not even started? Can you imagine the number by September October? I cannot comprehend why some of us cannot see where this is taking us. Smart Island my foot!
Louis Sinagra
May 26th 2008, 22:31
Although Sorry for these illeagal imigrants that drowned I agree with Mr Raymond Sammut that something has to be done about this very big problem for the country . Last week the AFM was boasting about Frontex because it took 25 of these illeagal imigrants to Lampedusa . what about the 100 that entered Malta last week . Yes the government has to do something fast . Also as Mr Salvatore Aquilina questions the problem about the police or the Army how will they cope if these guests start to riot .Yes that is a good question that I myself can not answer .
Raymond Sammut
May 26th 2008, 21:42
Mr Agius and Mr Aquilina: What can the Maltese government of today do? Any suggestions?
I am no expert on International law. My understanding is that Malta became a party of the 1951 Refugee Convention on 17 Jun 1971. (Anyone can check this document on the appropriate site: "States Parties to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol".) Back then the Maltese government will have acted in good faith, without having the slightest clue of what could happen 35 years on. It was a terrible mistake, the magnitude of which we are beginning to understand only now. Furthermore, that convention never identified a proper physical location that could be used as a place of refuge until potential refugees could be processed. Certainly, our homeland as a small island can never be such a place. In the absence of such a putative location, Malta should pull out from the Convention, and start repatriating these people. If the EU wants to object, let it object. The Maltese government has to act in the interest of its people regardless. Very unfortunately, that's the only way I can see it. The Maltese people cannot do the impossible.
Mario Aquilin
May 26th 2008, 21:06
It is indeed despicable that faced with the news that 5 people might have drowned in their attempt to achieve a better life for themselves and their family, some people can react by simply saying that we are running the risk of being 'swept' by them. Perhaps what should be 'swept' away is this inhumane callousness. One should show some respect for the tragedy of individuals rather than merely talk about numbers at this stage.
a. agius
May 26th 2008, 20:21
It is about time that the Maltese government do something about this issue.
Salvatore aquilina
May 26th 2008, 18:13
The government have to act now before is too late for Malta about illegal immigrants.
Malta is a small island we’re going to get swept by them. For every 1 they make 150 coming to the UK. The problem is the police or the army is going to cop if there is a riot on the street of Malta.