A total of 15 Maltese nationals lost their life while they were abroad this year, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said.
Speaking to workers at his ministry, the minister said that this year, 800 Maltese nationals - 100 more than last year, contacted Maltese embassies for assistance .
There were also more than 7,400 contacts between Maltese people who worked or lived abroad and embassies or consulates. This figure last year stood at 6,300.
Minister Borg also recalled the case of George Scerri, aMaltese national who was abducted in Nigeria during the year and held hostage for more than 30 days.