Update 2 | 86 migrants rescued by Armed Forces, eight required medical assistance

86 migrants landed in Malta at Haywharf this evening after being rescued by the Armed Forces of Malta.

While initial figures reported the arrival of 88 migrants, an AFM spokesman confirmed that in total, 86 migrants had been rescued.

The group was made up of 60 males, 24 females, an infant and a 7-year-old girl.

The two children, two men and six women needed medical attention and were subsequently transferred to Mater Dei Hospital.

The boat was intercepted around 30NM South of Malta and an AFM Islander aircraft was dispatched to the area.

AFM said the dinghy was located and an AFM Austal class Patrol Vessel (P21), was diverted to investigate.

"Initial investigations revealed there were 88 migrants on board, 66 of whom were males, 20 females and 2 babies allegedly of Somali origin.  The migrants were transferred onboard P21 and are currently being taken to Hay Warf base," an AFM's spokesman said earlier.
 
The group arrived at Hay Wharf Base onboard the P21 Patrol vessel at around 7:30pm.

The last rescue was on 7 July, when a group of 84 migrants shortly after another 40 had been saved by the AFM earlier that same week.

A total of 1,203 people have so far landed in Malta after being rescued by the AFM, composed of 831 men and 333 women, and 25 minors and seven babies. The highest number of arrivals were in May, when eight out of 18 boats were brought into Malta.

There were also seven deaths reported at sea in May.