An Indian court is set to charge 20 people over the drowning of more than 170 Indian illegal immigrants near Malta in 1996.

Indian media has reported that those to be charged include travel agents and two policemen allegedly involved in the trafficking of victims.

The immigrants, mainly hailing from various places in Punjab, had died in the icy waters off Malta on Christmas Day after they were transferred from the ship Yiohan to an 18-foot boat.

The policemen are also to be accused of giving travel clearances without valid documents to the tragedy-struck passengers.

A case had been registered against 27 people in 1997, seven of whom have since died.

The remaining 20, who are on bail, should be charged on Tuesday.

The Indian immigrants had left Delhi in September 1996 on the assurance that they would be smuggled into various European countries.

The passengers had taken off for Dubai from Delhi on various Gulf-based airlines after getting entry at the Indira Gandhi International airport.