AFM releases photo of immigrants' dinghy

Dr Francis Saliba

Aug 28th 2009, 20:56

I wonder what the Italian investigating magistrate will have to say about the deliberate destruction of such an important piece of evidence by the Italian authorities while the evidence was in their possession. I am sure it would never have been destroyed if it really supported the credibility of the illegals to the Italian or to Italian members of the UNHCR!

pat camilleri

Aug 28th 2009, 18:35

Thanks you are wonderful Armed Forces.Thank you to our Police force.We are proud of you and continue to support you. We do not want any illegal immigrants here. I cannot understand why they do not let the ones who want to leave , just leave.This invasion is a plot to destroy our countries. They have almost succeeded in the U.K.It is only a matter of time.We must not let that happen here.

Vanessa Polidano

Aug 28th 2009, 16:54

Thank You AFM. I support your hard work! Always have! Take care.

joseph borg

Aug 28th 2009, 16:50

@ A.sammut. Here Here. well said

A.Sammut

Aug 27th 2009, 12:48

Dott. Frattini.
IS it not time that you and your coleagues like Mr. Maroni start by having some goodwill and faith in your "friends" the maltese authorities and the maltese people, and not make an invented play simply because you want part of OUR SAR ZONE for yourselves for reasons that are not very hard to imagine. For heaven's sake stop this onslaught of lies on us maltese and let's have some honesty - it realy is not that difficult you know!
The maltese - we are a small poulation and small country but we are tough, proud, strong and in situations such as this WE ARE UNITED

A.Sammut

Aug 27th 2009, 12:36

@ Mr Ronnie Gauci

This picture was indeed shown on the newson RETE 4 last night at 23:15 hours.

P Debono

Aug 27th 2009, 08:25

The AFM desrve a real pat on the back for their services to this country and also for protecting us and our SAR area.

Alessandro Riolo

Aug 27th 2009, 02:08

While I agree with Alexander Pace Gouder that I cannot see how to fit more than 45 persons in this dinghy (perhaps is possible, but I don't see the space), and that would alredy be quite an exercise (it would already look pretty crowded with 20), I must note that it is still a very big dinghy for just 5 persons.

Mark Anthony Vella

Aug 27th 2009, 01:46

Dear Frattini,

Stop bombing our country with stupid accusations based on what these illegal immigrants say. Keep in mind that these people from Africa that are illegally invading our country will lie and distort the reality in face of authorities because they have nothing loose. You are believing them and not a civilized country like ours? there's only one thing that they do right: invading our beloved Malta...... and that is where your people have failed 50 years ago and YOU will fail again if you use stupid fairy tales to invade our territory.

We Maltese are a few but strong people.

Stephen Borg Cardona

Aug 27th 2009, 00:04

We have to be careful as the Italians seem to be intent on annexing Malta.

Denis Catania

Aug 26th 2009, 22:27

Never believe the illegals over the AFM. So where are the 75 dead illegals? Not one has been recovered. Because MOST likely there wasn't any . They pulled another one over the do-gooders. Keep giving them petrol, water and crackers and let them go on. Keep them away from Malta, Gozo and Comino too. God bless the AFM.

D Farrugia

Aug 26th 2009, 20:50

In your face FRATTINI!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ronnie Gauci

Aug 26th 2009, 20:21

Will this picture be shown on the Italian media so they'll swallow their accusations?

Alexander Brincat

Aug 26th 2009, 20:14

Oooooops. I call this a colossal Frattini Gaffe. Perfect definition of how you can make a fool of yourself. The AFM are no so cruel after all. Keep up the excellent work AFM.

T.gauci

Aug 26th 2009, 20:08

There is no way 75 people can fit on that little dinghy.

V.Laferla

Aug 26th 2009, 19:55

If you had to pack people like sardines on this dinghy it would take max 20-25 people, no way 75.. However i am a bit surprised that only 5 immigrants where on a boat this size... Something somewhere doesnt make sense..

Chris Mifsud

Aug 26th 2009, 19:20

Clearly this photo shows that the illegal immigrants are liars . But then again i did not need a photo to prove that the AFM were telling the truth . They are certainly more credible than the illegal immigrants who come from countries very well known for their scams . Malta deserves a fresh start , which means sending back ALL the illegal immigrants and refugee status etc,, (No difference .. All in Malta illegaly) back to Africa where they came from .

Daniel Goggi

Aug 26th 2009, 19:00

@ Marco Palermo That's a red sleeve top on the right side of the dinghy... If you compare it to the other garments you will see that that's exactly what it is. Also Blood like any other fluid (dense or not so dense) runs in a uniform pattern along the path it finds best... so its not blood.

Joe Antignolo

Aug 26th 2009, 18:38

If it is true what the 5 remaining Eritreans said that there were 75 people on board and most of them drowned is it possible that none of those who went over board did not leave anything behind them on the dinghy. These people have only one thing in mind and that is to be accepted in an European country. They are not saying the truth and have no respect to anyone else except themselves. It is about time that when intercepted at high seas they will be taken back from where they left. Action has to be taken now before it is too late although it is late..

e compagno

Aug 26th 2009, 18:35

Let's think for a moment here. Let's just IMAGINE there were other people onboard. And they start to die. What do you think the rest would do first before throwing them overboard? Search their pockets. Take documents, money etc.. shoes, clothes, belongings.. It's logical, no? In which case, that boat would have been WAY more messy and the survivors would have some of their belongings in their possesson. The illegal immigrants have obviously lied. Not that it really surprises me.

Joseph Cachia

Aug 26th 2009, 18:06

@Message to all. Why so many of you are trying to persuade FINCH . Why give the prominence to his comments. If he doesn't approve what MALTA and MALTESE do, it's easy, just move out of our COUNTRY.

G. Mangion

Aug 26th 2009, 18:05

This photo should be Forwarded to the, Euronews, Yesterday @ 10.00 P.M, new's on T.V the Headlines about this story was, ITALY SLAMS MALTA ABOUT IMMGRANTS ! Malta cant simply let Foreign Media be Misled By No One. Well done A.F.M.

c dimech

Aug 26th 2009, 18:04

Give them money and clothes ......and they will VOLONTARILY go back home ,as others did . Insomma that would be Malta ,because Frattini is going to send them back pennyless.

P Borg

Aug 26th 2009, 17:50

I know that the Italians find English hard to understand. So here's my comment: Cosi gli Italiani hanno la faccia di credere un branco di cinque clandestini che entrano il loro paese ILLEGALMENTE e di smentire gli officiali delle nostre Forze Armate. E poi hanno pure la faccia di domandare che noi cediamo a loro la nostra zona di salvataggio (search and rescue zone)! Vogliamo un apologia! E per accetterla ci devono dare un' altra parte della loro zona di salvataggio!

John Grech

Aug 26th 2009, 17:50

@ Mr.Chris Finch, Why do you have to be so negative in your comments ,even in other blogs you always seem to be negative with your comments. By any chance are you one of those that in Australia they used to call them the whinging pom.

Alexander Pace Gouder

Aug 26th 2009, 17:33

Mr.Chris Finch----------SPOTLESS------------ 20 Days? ---------- 75persons!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not more then 45 other persons could fit and like sardines. What a mess these would have effected in 20 days. But maybe these 5 remaining IMMIGRANTS had detergent and brooms to clean and had ALL THE TIME TO CLEAN. iT IS QUITE CLEAR THAT THE AFM ARE TELLING THE TRUTH.

Emmanuel Ebejer

Aug 26th 2009, 17:19

@Chris Finch Have you been drinking?

m camilleri

Aug 26th 2009, 17:14

Don't see any shaving cream!!!!!!!!!!!

Alfred Bugeja

Aug 26th 2009, 17:14

@ Marco Palermo No... it looks like a garment which they hung out on the sides of the dinghy - like the ones on the left - but red. Old blood turns brown when it dries.

M. Galea

Aug 26th 2009, 17:03

At last our Goverment opened it's eyes and is doing what it should have done years ago.
Now the next step is to pick up all those illigal imigrants who are in Malta and have no right to refugee status and send them back ASAP. Also enact laws that will keep thos imigrants locked up in dentention centres, if they want to be released they can apply and go back home. To release them on our streets after eighteen months is insane and a disservice to our people.
There is a large number from Nigeria, Uganda, etc etc. Why are they still here.

Joanne Micallef

Aug 26th 2009, 16:47

Totally agree with Ms Louise Vella

@ Mr Finch - Because the AFM have been on countless similar missions they have the expertise necessary to evaluate the situation presented to them. If they say that the dingy was in a clean state ( not spotless obviously as there were people on board ) which in turn meant that it was highly unlikely that there were another 75 persons on board at one time, than that must be the case.

M. Cachia

Aug 26th 2009, 16:46

I would say that not more than 25-30 people can be crammed onto that dinghy ...So the count of 80 people looks way exaggerated !

Alfred Bugeja

Aug 26th 2009, 16:45

Chris Finch,

The photo discredits the Italian media's and the Eritrean occupants' version of events on the following counts:

1) This boat could have never been carrying 80 migrants for 20 days+. It is way too clean and too much unlike the of the similar rubber dinghy which went into Lampedusa a few days ago carrying a mere 50 occupants (such as the one seen here: http://www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/topnews/news/2009-08-25_125360985.html)

2) The occupants were supposed to have been at sea for 20 days without food or water when this photo was taken. How they found the strength to stay sitting and not lying down in that dehydrated state is beyond me.

3) The dinghy seems to be fully inflated and definitely not in danger of sinking. So there was no apparent reason for the AFM to force them aboard since that would have required them to be in a "clear and imminent mortal danger."

M. Vella

Aug 26th 2009, 16:44

@ C Finch

what are YOU trying to prove with your comments?

K. R.

Aug 26th 2009, 16:43

Brilliant work AFM! Make sure that this gets published in all Italian media after the several damaging unjustified comments we recieved. Sewwa they had the right to make them U-turn back whereas we cannot! In addition as someone rightly said, I can't see 75+5 people staying on that dinghy...and out of the alleged 75 dead...not even one single corpse is found...come on it's scam for sure!

Marco Palermo

Aug 26th 2009, 16:43

Is that blood on the right of the boat?

lgalea

Aug 26th 2009, 16:40

Chris Finch
Why don't you go the the illegal immigrants own countries and help them there Finch? If the illegal immigrants put themselves in danger then it's their own business, but we shouldn't be expected to then go and save them especially when it endangers the lives of our soldiers and when they will be brought to Malta. We've had enough of the illegal immigrants and their antics and want them all out of Malta.
Chris, why don't you stop undermining Malta and our security forces with your postings?

john Micallef

Aug 26th 2009, 16:37

Ats fast, as yesterday thye said that they cannot publish the photos as the enquirry was still ongoing!!

If we are trying to solve these issues in this amateurish way we are not going to convince anyone!!

Mike Rizzo

Aug 26th 2009, 16:37

Dear Mr. Finch,
if you think the dinghy looks untidy with only fiv people in it, then one can imagine how with 75 it would have looked like. This has got nothing to do with the saving of human lives. Sig Frattini should check his facts before opening his mouth, but then again for the Italians, the end justify the means. This is a way how the italians can put pressure on the int'l community to persuade Malta to relinquish Its vast SAR.

John Inguanez

Aug 26th 2009, 16:34

Well done AFM. We should show the Italians and the illegal immigrants, that we are serious perople. If there were 87 people on that dinghy it should have been untidy and filthy. Why we dont send these pictures to the Italian press.

I M Dingli

Aug 26th 2009, 16:32

What is your point Mr. Finch?

Paul Mangion

Aug 26th 2009, 16:28

I can't count 75. Where are all the others gone. Diving?

jbusuttil

Aug 26th 2009, 16:25

Dear Mr.Finch, they are trying to expaine what you cannot understand.

m busuttil

Aug 26th 2009, 16:19

Looking at the immigrants' dinghy, a question comes to mind.
Let's say that there were 75 people on board as the five survivors maintain.
What was the weight that the dinghy had to support?
Now let's take an average weight of 65 kg per person. That's equal to almost
5000 kg!!!!!
Putting 75 ppl on that dinghy is literally like packing sardines in a tin can.
Even in desperation who would take such a chance???????///!!!!!!

alex grech

Aug 26th 2009, 16:14

@ chris finch
i can assure you that the dinghy is in perfect shape and tidy . it seems you never saw either local dinghies which can be "untidy" just as much or you have never seen the state of other dingies or boats which theimmigrant use. one point to consider is that the tubes of this dinghy which are most important are properly inflated do you really think it is important if the dinghy is tidy or not? lets help these people to shore and send them back from where they came from once they are in good health a clear message to the others

malcolm seychell

Aug 26th 2009, 16:13

@ Mr Finch

This photo says clearly that there where not 75 illegal immigrants on the dinghy.

I wait for an apology from the Vatican, our arcbishop and some of the Italian Media.

For a change these illegal immigrants lied about what they went true.

J Farrugia

Aug 26th 2009, 16:09

Mr Finch this photos was taken from a Frontex plane captained by foreign military personnel and not by Maltese AFM personnel. So cut the rattle and stay to the subject. Photo says it all.

C.Agius

Aug 26th 2009, 16:06

I suggest that this picture is sent to Frattini and to RAI News 24.

Paul Abela

Aug 26th 2009, 16:02

My dear Mr Finch.. I think this photo says a lot. One has to wait for the reactions of the Italian media now.

P. Abela

Georges Bonello DuPuis jr.

Aug 26th 2009, 16:00

Is it not possible for the AFM to carry small digital camers on board their rescue vessels and record such activities.?

louise vella

Aug 26th 2009, 15:56

Illegal immigrants and applicants for refugee status have an interest in telling stories that increase the chances of their being granted asylum and being accepted in the country of their choice. The annual reports of Malta's Refugee Commissioner bear testimony to this. So everything that an illegal immigrant or an asylum applicant says has to checked and counter-checked and taken with a ton of salt. On the other hand, the Armed Forces of Malta have the honourable and noble task of defending Malta and deserve all our support.

M Debono

Aug 26th 2009, 15:55

@ C Finch - Maybe that there is no chance that the dinghy carried 75 ppl??

r ferriggi

Aug 26th 2009, 15:53

make extra sure the Italians see this.

if possible send itto Rai news for the8pm issue.

its about time that this intentional wave of msinformation is countered SERIOUSLY.

Chris Finch

Aug 26th 2009, 15:48

The AFM dinghy looks clean with all the occupants healthy and STANDING!

Because someone is sitting, it doesnt mean they are in a good state of health. Also the migrants dinghy looks untidy.

What is the AFM trying to prove with this photo?