A small Maltese ship which was reportedly fired at last Sunday as it tried to berth in Tripoli harbour, is heading back to Malta after officials decided that it is still unsafe to embark passengers. The main problem is getting people safely from their homes to the harbour, sources said.

The Triva I is due to have a crew-change in Malta.

The Prime Minister said on Tuesday that Malta was in talks with the EU about sending a bigger ship to evacuate a large number of workers from the Libyan capital, including 11 Maltese.

The Triva I can carry about 60 passengers but the number of workers - of various nationalities - seeking evacuation is much larger.

A number of Poles, Britons and Lebanese nationals had been among those waiting to board the ship on Sunday.

In view of the gunfire, Triva I returned to the open sea and is now heading back to Malta.

Government officials denied a Sky News report that the ship had actually entered Tripoli harbour.

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