A group of 24 irregular immigrants have been brought to shore by the Armed Forces of Malta after they were rescued by AFM personnel.

At about 11.15am on Saturday, the AFM Rescue Coordination Centre was informed that a white boat carrying irregular immigrants was drifting about 53 nautical miles south-southwest of Malta, having run out of fuel.

The boat was monitored by an Italian fishing vessel until an AFM patrol boat arrived at the scene.

The 24 immigrants were taken on board the AFM patrol boat.

The immigrants, who are all males and who have claimed that they come from the Ivory Coast, reached the Maritime Squadron base at 4am yesterday.