With reference to reports in the media (not The Malta Independent), the ministry said that although the vessel underwent repairs at the Malta Drydocks, at no point did anyone inform the Maltese authorities that irregularities had taken place or that there were illegal immigrants on board.

If – although this still has to be established – these illegal immigrants had been rescued close to the Libyan coast, international rules lay down that the captain should have transported them to Libya.

Nobody should expect that, days after this ship had rescued these people without informing the Maltese authorities and now that it is off the coast of Sicily, Malta should take responsibility for these immigrants, the Ministry said.

There is no proof as to where these immigrants were rescued. What is sure is that they were on board when the vessel approached the Sicilian coast, it concluded.