A group of 85 migrants was saved off Malta after their boat was reported to be in distress.

The Armed Forces of Malta said its rescue vessel was dispatched to a location where the wooden boat was reported to be in trouble. 

The migrants - 77 men, seven women and a child - were transferred to the AFM vessel and landed in Malta early on Saturday.

The rescue comes just hours after dozens died between Tunisia and Malta after their boat capsized.

Read: Dozens of migrants dead between Malta and Tunisia

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