DNA sampling required by Italian law has held up the family reunification process for the rescued asylum seekers who capsized near Lampedusa last month and were taken to Italy and Malta in separate boats.

José Angel Oropeza, chief of mission in Rome for the International Organisation of Migration, told timesofmalta.com that the DNA tests were required by the Italian judiciary to ensure the children and adults involved really were related.

He said the DNA tests were concluded last Wednesday, samples were taken to Lampedusa last Thursday, and the results were expected today.

Passports and documents had already been issued by the Maltese authorities so that those in Malta could travel to Italy to be reunited with their family members, Mr Oropeza said.

“We respect the rights of families to know the fate of their loved ones,” he added.

The Sunday Times of Malta yesterday carried a story about a migrant at Ħal Far open centre, Ahmed Khalid, who was rescued off Lampedusa last month. His wife and seven children are feared dead and he questioned why he had still not been reunited with his two surviving daughters, who were taken to Italy.

During the October 11 tragedy, the AFM managed to rescue 143 migrants, while the Italian Navy took another 56. Around 50 others drowned.