The Armed Forces of Malta said that a group of 82 migrants have been rescued this morning by an AFM patrol vessel after their craft was located adrift in a position 68 nautical miles south of Malta.

In response, the AFM’s Rescue and Coordination Centre at Luqa Barracks initially deployed an AFM King Air B200 maritime patrol aircraft to locate the migrants’ craft. At 12.22am, the aircraft successfully located the migrants’ dinghy following an extended search.

The Protector-class patrol vessel P-51 was dispatched to the area to render assistance as required.

After it was verified that the craft was disabled and that the persons aboard required rescue, the migrants were embarked aboard.

The AFM said that the group is made up of 10 women, of which one appears to be pregnant, one baby and 71 men and they are claiming to be of Somali origin.

P51 is expected to arrive at Hay Wharf later this morning.

Photograph taken from the AFM’s King Air Aircraft last night shows the migrants adrift.

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