A migrant boat carrying over 30 people capsized Friday during a maritime rescue operation off the coast of Malta, resulting in 5 confirmed deaths and 8 hospitalizations so far. The vessel sank while undergoing transfer of occupants onto a Maltese patrol ship dispatched to retrieve passengers in distress.
According to Malta’s armed forces, the inflatable dinghy held at least 34 migrants when it overturned within an offshore fish farm area located about 3.5 nautical miles from the country’s southern shores. Those on board were reportedly from Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Syria originally.
Authorities believe the migrant boat embarked from Tripoli, Libya and sailed for 3 days prior to the failed rescue attempt that occurred early Friday morning. In addition to the 5 deceased, Deputy Armed Forces Commander Edric Zahra stated 1 killed was female while 8 survivors received treatment at Maltese hospitals.
21 additional rescued migrants were transported to a detention facility for immigration processing. Search operations continued Friday afternoon for potential missing persons or further recovery of bodies from the capsized dinghy.
The dangerous voyage reflects ongoing regional issues with maritime human smuggling networks trafficking desperate people on overcrowded boats. But Malta has aimed reducing migrant arrivals and relocations in recent years through tighter policies, approving just 380 asylum applications in 2023 versus over 3,500 during 2019’s peak influx.
The capsizing tragedy occurred despite patrol boat efforts preventing a far worse outcome. However, it highlights the prevalent risks migrants face on clandestine sea passages seeking refuge along European borders.