Migrants rescued from rubber dinghy

Two groups of illegal immigrants landed within hours of each other early yesterday morning.

One group was taken aboard a patrol boat after their rubber dinghy started to take in water, and the other migrants were detained after reaching the shore in their own boat at Għar Lapsi.

The first boatload was being monitored following the evacuation to hospital of two pregnant women in need of medical attention on Monday evening.

However, the patrol boat that was monitoring them reported that the craft was taking in water and, despite persistent efforts to continue on their way to Italy, the illegal immigrants were taken aboard, said the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM).

They were brought in at the Maritime Squadron's base in the early hours of the morning and handed over to the police.

The group numbered 43 - 35 males and eight females - among whom was yet another pregnant woman.

Meanwhile, the two pregnant women evacuated earlier are under medical care at Mater Dei Hospital, the police said.

The second group of immigrants to come ashore yesterday morning were detained by immigration police when their boat reached Għar Lapsi, limits of Siġġiewi.

The group was composed of 20 men and eight women.