Sheltering Libyan vessel mistaken for migrants' boat

People walking in the countryside at Fomm Ir-Rih thought that migrants had landed when they saw a Libyan fishing boat in the scenic bay yesterday. It turned out that the fishing boat had entered the bay after suffering engine failure, according to the...

People walking in the countryside at Fomm Ir-Rih thought that migrants had landed when they saw a Libyan fishing boat in the scenic bay yesterday.

It turned out that the fishing boat had entered the bay after suffering engine failure, according to the AFM.

The AFM said in a statement today that observers reported the boat at 5.15 p.m.

The police were alerted by the AFM and sent Mobile Squad vehicles to the area, whilst an AFM Air Wing helicopter was scrambled to investigate the reported sighting. A patrol boat was also diverted to the same area.

The Police Mobile Squad apprehended the three fishermen, of Libyan and Tunisian origins. Their fishing boat was escorted by the AFM patrol boat to Grand Harbour, Valletta for further police investigations.

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