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Eleven migrants died, and 53 others were rescued after a boat carrying irregular migrants capsized east of Malta on Sunday evening, in an operation involving Maltese and Italian authorities.
According to the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM), Malta Vessel Traffic Services received a distress notification from a fishing vessel regarding a boat carrying migrants that was in difficulty outside Maltese Territorial waters. Information received indicated that several people had fallen overboard while attempting to reach the assisting fishing vessel.
The AFM said the Rescue Coordination Centre immediately instructed the fishing vessel and other vessels in the area to render assistance, while AFM assets were deployed to support the rescue operation. The Italian Coast Guard also took part in the coordinated effort.
A total of 533 migrants were rescued, while 11 bodies were recovered from the sea, the AFM said. All survivors received immediate medical attention, with onee person requiring urgent treatment and being evacuated by an AFM air asset.
Officials said the vessel, carrying 60 people, had departed from Libya. The Italian Coast Guard, which forms part of Italy’s navy, dispatched a patrol vessel to the area at the request of Maltese authorities.
Source” Malta Independent
