Five migrants were rescued by the Armed Forces of Malta off a Greek island yesterday in what was described as a dramatic operation.

The migrants were clinging to the wreckage of a deflated dinghy when they were picked up by a detachment from the AFM’s maritime squadron which forms part of the EU’s border mission in that part of the Mediterranean.

The detachment is operating out of the Greek island of Lesvos. While on a routine morning patrol, the crew of the AFM’s fast interceptor craft was informed by the Greek coastguard that a migrant boat was in distress.

Five migrants were pulled out of the water and given medical assistance before being taken to the port of Molivos where they were handed over to the Greek authorities.

Maritime squadron personnel have been patrolling the waters around Lesvos since the beginning of August as part of the EU’s Frontex Joint Operation Poseidon Sea.

They have responded to numerous incidents and rescued many people who found themselves in difficulty while attempting to cross the maritime border between Turkey and Greece in an irregular manner, the AFM said.