An Eritrean boy whose mother died in a traffic accident in Libya was reunited with his father this evening. Three-year-old Abel was welcomed by his father, Tages Gebregzabher at the airport. He arrived in Malta on board a Medavia flight.

Abel’s mother, Shewit, died on her way to Libya from Sudan after escaping from Eritrea. The boy escaped unhurt. His older brother still lives with his grandmother in Eritrea. Mr Gebregzabher’s is a refugee who has lived in Malta for the past couple of years.

Monsignor Philip Calleja of the Emigrants Commission told this paper that the man married his wife earlier this year in Sudan and had applied to have his wife and son join him in Malta.

The mother and the three-year-old left Eritrea earlier this year, leaving the couple’s elder son with relatives. But three weeks ago, the mother was hit by a vehicle in Benghazi and died, leaving the three-year-old with Mr Gebregzabher’s brother, who lives in Tripoli.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement that, upon being notified by the Emigrants Comission, the government had started working on locating the boy. He was brought to Malta with the assistance of the UNHCR and Medavia.

Speaking through a translator, Mr Gebregzabher thanked the government and said he was overjoyed at being reunited with his son, whom he had not seen for over two years.

Mons Calleja said the man currently lives in Floriana but will be temporarily housed in Balzan with his son. Mr Gebregzabher wishes to emigrate to the United States with his two sons.

In the meantime, the Maltese government will also be facilitating the transfer of another child who found herself in a similar situation as Abel. A Ministry spokesperson said Malta had received a request to help transfer a girl whose sole parent lives in another country.