Three of the 11 migrants pulled out alive from an area some 300 off Malta were airlifted to Malta and transferred to Mater Dei Hospital just before 6pm.

The other eight were sent to Greece. More than 400 people are feared dead in the latest tragedy in the sea off Malta.

The arrivals said they were Palestinian and had left from Egypt.

This morning, two bodies, including that of a young girl, arrived at the Freeport on the Merchant vessel CMA CGM Verdi.

Rescuers were told by different people that two boats carrying migrants were involved in the accident.

The larger boat appears to have been carrying between 300 and 400 people, while the smaller one was carrying about 30.

Armed Forces of Malta sources said survivors claimed some on the smaller boat, which could have been taking in water, were trying to get the bigger boat to stop before they eventually rammed it causing both vessels to sink.