Another spat on illegal migration has come up between Malta and Italy with the latter accusing Malta of failing to help migrants in distress and lodging a report with the European Union.

In a  statement this evening, the Ministry for Home Affairs however denied the allegations and said that the rescue referred to by Italy was co-ordinated by the Armed Forces of Malta in close collaboration with the Italian and Tunisian authorities.

Earlier today, Italian media reported that Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni told the EU that last night, the Italian coastguard had to help a vessel in distress carrying 209 people and took them to Lampedusa because Malta failed to intervene.

Malta had "once again" shirked its responsibilities, leaving it up to Italy to "avoid a new tragedy", the Italian minister said.

Mr Maroni said that the boat was in Malta's Search and Rescue area and a potential tragedy was only prevented through Italy's intervention.

The immigrant's vessel, Italy said, was spotted drifting aimlessly 100 kilometres south of Lampedusa and Italian patrol boats brought the passengers safely to land.

Italy told the EU it is demanding that member states respect their duty to intervene in their respective maritime assistance zones.

Malta’s Home Affairs Ministry, however, said that when the vessel was first reported to the Maltese Rescue Co-Ordination Centre, it was located 51 nautical miles south south-west of Lampedusa and 126 nautical miles southwest of Malta.

Malta co-ordinated the search and rescue operation in close collaboration with the Italian and Tunisian authorities and it was the Italian authorities which, in this case, asked whether their assistance was required.

The Italian assets which were eventually deployed from Lampedusa were considerably closer to the vessel in distress and in a better position to effect the rescue operation in a timely manner, Malta said.