Abandoned fishing boat found off Gozo

A sea and coastal search was mounted yesterday after an abandoned fishing boat was found off Xlendi on Friday afternoon.

The 33ft Tunisian-flagged fishing boat was found about half a kilometre off Gozo and later towed to Xlendi.

Initially the boat was suspected to have been used to transport irregular immigrants from the troubled North African region, but the presence of fishing gear and equipment led to suspicions it had been involved in a tragedy at sea involving fishermen.

Crates, blankets and stocks of sugar cubes were also on board, one witness told The Sunday Times.