Libyan families, children among 347 refugees fleeing war brought to Malta
UPDATED | 347 refugees fleeing war-torn Libya have been brought to Malta by the AFM after their boat stalled and drifted for hours in the open seas. For the first time, the Maltese authorities are dealing with Libyans fleeing with their families from the strife.
The migrants were intercepted earlier in the day by an Italian NATO vessel currently patrolling the Mediterranean sea as part of a naval blockade on Libya, and later by an Italian trawler that called for assistance after the crew confirmed that the boat's engine was stalled.
According to reports, the migrants boat was stalled after their engine failed and were drifting in an area that was under the Maltese responsibilities for search and rescue.
A number of Libyan families fleeing their war-torn country were aboard the boat. Some 48 women, 12 children and 16 babies were among the group.
Also on the boat were Egyptian and Bangladeshi workers who have been stranded in Libya since the war broke out in the North African country.
Most of the migrants carried bags with clothes and few personal belongings.
Meanwhile, more than 500 migrants - also fleeing Libya - have landed on Lampedusa, while another boatload of migrants landed off the Sicilian port-town of Trapani.
Three migrants were found dead off the coast, as reports suggest that a speedboat carrying 17 migrants left them to swim almost three miles out at sea.
The men who steered the speedboat fled the area.