Around 35 Maltese are believed to have remained in Libya, after a number of nationals returned to the island on two catamarans early this morning.
The remaining Maltese are scattered all over the country in small groups, the government said yesterday.
Director General of Information Martin Bugelli said yesterday that although some Maltese were alone in their respective cities, some even on oil rigs, the government had no information that they were in any imminent danger.
The government formally issued a recommendation to all Maltese nationals in Libya to evacuate the country by last night on the Virtù Ferries catamaran making the last journey to and from Tripoli.
Air Malta yesterday cancelled its scheduled flight to Libya amid the deteriorating situation in and around Tripoli and the increasing chaos within the airport terminal.
Air Malta said it regretted any inconvenience but the decision was taken in the best interest of the safety of its passengers and crew.
“Air Malta will continue to assess the situation and resume operations when it is considered safe enough to do so,” the airline said in a statement.
The government is also coordinating efforts with other countries to try to help nationals outside Tripoli to return home.
Since Monday, the government had assisted 53 countries worldwide, Mr Bugelli said.
Apart from the two Virtù Ferries catamarans, which were expected to berth early this morning with up to 1,000 evacuees, the Toscana cruise ship chartered by a Brazilian company is expected to bring some 3,000 workers from Brazil, Thailand and Vietnam some time today.
A Grimaldi ferry was on its way to Misratah yesterday afternoon to carry around 1,600 passengers to Malta. Details of its arrival are as yet unknown. Some 1,700 people brought to Malta yesterday were already on their way home, on four flights to China and one to the UK.
The remaining Chinese evacuees would remain on the boat until the next flight out. The UK residents still in Malta will be spending some time on the island with family or in hotels, until returning home.
Paramedics have aided some 22 expatriate workers evacuated to Malta on ships, with some needing further treatment at Mater Dei Hospital, one for appendicitis.
Asked about the possibility of a large influx of migrants, Mr Bugelli said the government had to date not received any notification about any migrants off Malta’s shores.