Seven would-be irregular immigrants are likely to have drowned after their boat capsized on Monday in stormy weather 75 miles south of Malta.

A tugboat pulling a tuna pen nearby picked up 13 survivors shortly after the boat overturned and alerted authorities.

The army’s helicopter had picked up another three men, who had held onto a tuna pen and informed the officers that there had been 23 men on board the capsized boat.

The Armed Forces of Malta suspended its search early yesterday as the survivors were nowhere to be seen.

Police said the survivors are in good health.