An Italian Military Mission Air Force helicopter yesterday rushed a migrant mother and two babies to Mater Dei Hospital from an Italian Coast Guard vessel after one of the babies, a girl, required urgent medical treatment.

The family formed part of a group of 17 migrants - 13 men, two women and the two babies - who were rescued by the coast guard vessel Fiorillo some 56 nautical miles south of Malta after their boat encountered difficulties in rough sea.

The other immigrants arrived at Hay Wharf at 3 p.m. on board the Fiorillo and were handed over to the police.

The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) said yesterday that the Malta based Italian military mission helicopter was dispatched with an Italo-Maltese crew.

AFM medical officer Surgeon Lt Col Robert Galea and AFM Air Wing rescuer Lance Bombardier Derek Pepe treated the mother and babies as soon as they were taken on board the helicopter, which landed at Mater Dei Hospital a few minutes after noon.

The Fiorillo was in Malta only last week taking part in the annual exercise between Malta and Italy called Canale 2008. It is at present on patrol in connection with the inspection and enforcement of blue fin tuna fishing quotas imposed by the European Commission.

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