VALLETTA, Malta: Five migrants drowned on Friday and eight were hospitalized after their boat sank during a rescue operation by armed forces of Malta near the Mediterranean island.
The army’s deputy commander Colonel Edric Zahra told a press conference that rescue workers were carrying out a search operation in the area for any possible victims.
He added the sank suddenly during the rescue operation.
The armed forces (AFM) had been on alert regarding a boat carrying several migrants close to fish farms off Zonqor on Malta’s southern coast.
A surveillance plane confirmed the location of the migrants’ boat and a patrol boat was sent to the area.
In a photograph released by the armed forces patrol boat could be seen nearing the migrant ship, with some on board wearing red life jackets.
Zahra said such migrant boats are usually heavily loaded with people and thus loses balance.
He added that eight people rescued in the operation are receiving medical treatment in hospital and unfortunately five were brought dead on the shore. He added that four men and a woman were among the dead.
