The Armed Forces were alerted to the situation after the Maltese fishing vessel Temptation, intercepted an 18-foot boat carrying 36 illegal immigrants on board approximately 55 nautical miles south of Delimara.

The AFM Patrol Boat P51 was dispatched to investigate the report. When the boat was located, the illegal immigrants were transferred on board the P51 and their boat was put in tow.

The P51 berthed at Haywharf at 3.15am yesterday morning.

The immigrants were later transferred to AFM and Police closed detention centres.