Prime Minister Joseph Muscat today hit out at the “criminal gangsters” running the human trafficking networks between North Africa and Europe, amidst reports that traffickers rammed a boat killing 500 migrants off Malta.

In comments to the media, he expressed his hope that the Greek Commissioner-designate for migration will bring a “new perspective" when compared to that of the outgoing Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom.

Dr Muscat said that both Italy and Malta gave their all this summer through the Mare Nostrum programme, and he hopes that the EU will provide further assistance in the future.

He said that  bringing stability to Libya is vital, and assistance from the United Nations should be considered if the Libyan government is willing.