A group of nine Maltese workers stranded on an oil rig in the Libyan desert is fearing bombing of oil installations, but efforts are under way by the Maltese government to rescue them.

The Maltese workers are on an rig with about 100 other expatriate workers.

The rig is located about an hour's flight from Tripoli.

"They are concerned about the food situation, but their biggest concern is that oil installations may be bombed if the situation continues to deteriorate" a relative of one of the workers told timesofmalta.com.

She said it was not easy for the workers to leave by car because of fears for their safety.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Maltese government knew of their predicament and said that efforts were underway to take them to Tripoli, possibly even today. However arrangements could not be disclosed for security reasons.

The spokesman also called on all those Maltese working in Libya to book seats on two Air Malta flights due to depart Tripoli today at noon and 8 p.m.

He said that Tripoli airport is jam packed, with passengers also crowding the car park. Air Malta and embassy officials have posted themselves in the airport terminal to help any Maltese who showed up.

The ministry helpline 80072203 has so far received 450 calls.