The Armed Forces of Malta this afternoon rescued 61 migrants to the south of Malta, the Department of Information said.

The Rescue Coordination Centre Malta was notified of a boat in difficulty 71nm south of Malta.

An AFM patrol vessel was directed to the area. The boat was carrying 61 migrants, who were rescued by the AFM patrol vessel, the AFM said.

This is the third time this week that the AFM needed to intervene to help migrants in distress.