Another 55 illegal immigrants landed in Malta in two different groups yesterday, capping a difficult week for Mediterranean patrollers.

The first group, which included seven women, landed at Wied iż-Żurrieq, before immigration police took them in for questioning.

In the afternoon a local fishing vessel came across 27 male African immigrants some 16 miles south-west of Malta. An Armed Forces rescue vessel later picked up the immigrants who were all in good health.

The calm sea has prompted hundreds to flee Africa during the past week in search of a better life in Europe, but some of the attempts have ended in tragedy.

A pregnant African woman died on Thursday morning shortly after being rescued fby a cargo ship some 79 miles off Malta. The corpses of two other female illegal immigrants were also picked up from the sea.

The ship had reported that the woman was in poor health, and although the Maltese army scrambled a rescue helicopter to the scene it was too late.

Between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the Armed Forces rescued over 100 illegal immigrants in three separate search and rescue operations. One of the boats was nearly submerged when it was found.

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and President Eddie Fenech Adami discussed the illegal immigration problem in Tripoli last Wednesday.

Meanwhile, almost 800 illegal immigrants arrived on the Italian coast in the space of 24 hours on Wednesday and Thursday, including 400 who were escorted to the shore on a single boat. Italy has declared an immigration emergency amid warnings that crowded holding centres are nearing collapse.