At least 11 migrants died after falling into the sea during a rescue operation in international waters near Malta while 53 others were rescued by a fishing vessel

At least 11 migrants died after falling into the sea during a rescue operation in international waters near Malta while 53 others were rescued by a fishing vessel, Maltese authorities announced today, Anadolu reports.

Malta’s armed forces said authorities received a report on Sunday evening from a fishing vessel of a boat carrying migrants in distress about 50 nautical miles east of Malta, outside the country’s territorial waters.

The Malta Rescue Coordination Center then instructed the fishing vessel, along with other vessels in the area, to render assistance, the armed forces added.

However, some people fell. at sea while trying to reach the fishing vessel during the rescue. An Italian Coast Guard vessel later recovered the bodies of 11 victims.

Italian authorities said the ship had set out from Libya.

“Every life lost is too many. We need stronger European action against human smugglers and a coordinated Mediterranean approach to migration to prevent further tragedies,” Malta’s Home Affairs and Security Minister Glenn Bedingfield said in a post via the company. American social media X.

Source: prizrenpost