Updated | Two dead, 23 rescued in maritime operation off Malta

Updated at 6:17pm with AFM statement

The AFM rescued 23 people from a boat in distress around 200 nautical miles off of Malta on Tuesday, although two men were found dead on board during the operation. 

According to the AFM, the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) received a distress call on 27 January. Rescue coordinators were told that there were two dead men on the vessel. 

An AFM patrol vessel took off to respond to the call. It took the vessel over 16 hours to reach the boat in distress.

While the AFM patrol vessel was en route, a nearby vessel provided interim assistance to the people on the boat. Upon reaching the site, AFM personnel conducted a rescue operation and recovered all 23 survivors.

Earlier on Tuesday, the NGO Alarm Phone said two minors died making the crossing from Benghazi to Europe in Malta’s Search and Rescue Zone.

The NGO said it was alerted by a group of 25 that left Libya around four days ago.

Alarm Phone also claimed a merchant vessel in the area left the scene after the Maltese Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) told them they would take care and manage the situation.

“But no rescue is in sight,” the NGO said.

An NGO representative told MaltaToday another merchant vessel is in the area, but its intentions are not yet known to Alarm Phone.

Questions have been sent to the Home Affairs Ministry.