Malta rescues 69 migrants, but refuses 31 others stranded at sea
(dpa)
Valletta - Sixty-nine migrants have been rescued and taken to Malta, officials say.
The migrants were rescued by an army patrol boat from a wooden boat in distress some 117 nautical miles south-west of Malta, the Armed Forces of Malta said.
The statement did not divulge the condition of those on board nor their nationalities.
The rescue comes as a German-run NGO ship remains barred from disembarking a group of 31 African migrants in Malta. The Sea-Watch 3 has been adrift between Malta and Libya since December 22.
The rescue comes as a German-run NGO ship remains barred from disembarking a group of 31 African migrants in Malta. The Sea-Watch 3 has been adrift between Malta and Libya since December 22.