A small boat packed with migrants was intercepted by the Armed Forces of Malta some two miles off Għar Hasan on the south-west coast of Malta.

The boat was carrying 35 people, the government said in a statement. Among them were nine children and four women.

The migrants were transferred onto an AFM patrol boat and the migrants' boat was then taken in tow, heading for the AFM maritime base at Hay Wharf.

The migrants were given medical assistance.