Patrol boat brings in 113 migrants

An AFM patrol boat had brought 113 migrants to Malta after their dinghy was intercepted by the AFM. The AFM said the rescue operation was triggered in the very early hours of this morning by alerts from the Italian rescue authorities in Rome. The dinghy was located 50 nm south of Dingli. A King Air Aircraft from the AFM Air Wing was scrambled to the area, together with an a Protector-class patrol vessel P52 which transferred the irregular immigrants onboard early in the afternoon. The patrol boat arrived at the AFM Maritime Base in Haywharf at about 4.45 p.m. Most migrants appeared to be in a good state of health, although one woman needed help. Some 40 of the migrants were women. Just under 500 migrants arrived in Malta last month alone.