In the latest tragedy to unfold on the heavily travelled North Africa-Sicily irregular migratory route, three migrants yesterday morning lost their lives, eight are missing at sea and presumed dead, while a further 16 were brought to Malta for medical attention.

Joint efforts carried out by the Maltese and Italian military yesterday morning failed to locate the eight who went missing after the boat they were aboard capsized some 40 miles east of Delimara.

A further three migrants lost their lives in the incident, while the 16 survivors, four of whom were in a serious condition and required medical treatment, were brought to Malta yesterday at around noon.

With the sea being dead calm yesterday morning, the boat is believed to have capsized as a result of being heavily overcrowded – the 20-foot boat was carrying a total of 27 passengers.

The survivors were brought in to Hay Wharf, as Malta was the closest port of call, by an Italian coast guard ship accompanied by a Maltese rescue launch, the Melita.

The nationalities of the migrants were still unknown but there was little doubt their point of departure was the North African coast, Parliamentary Secretary Tony Abela, who holds the Armed Forces of Malta under his remit, said yesterday at a press briefing convened at Castille.

While the incident took place strictly outside Malta’s territorial waters, it had nevertheless fallen within Malta’s designated search and rescue area.

Mr Abela stressed: “This was not a case of the incident having taken place in Maltese territorial or international waters. When there is a humanitarian crisis at hand, we are compelled to lend any and all assistance possible to prevent the loss of human life, irrespective of whether the incident involves migrants or a yacht carrying tourists.”

He added that Malta’s priority was to preserve the life and limb of survivors and as such, the authorities were first ensuring they were given medical attention required. Whether any of the survivors were to apply for asylum was altogether another matter, he added.

The capsized boat, which a number of migrants were seen clinging to for dear life, had first been spotted at about 5.15am by the crew of an Italian fishing vessel, the Anadro, which provided immediate assistance and raised the alarm with the Italian authorities.

The AFM were informed of the incident by the Italians at around 6am and immediately dispatched the Melita rescue launch, while the Italian coast guard itself dispatched two rescue ships. An Italian navy ship was also sent to the scene, as it was in the vicinity on its way to Malta to take part in a joint Esercizio Canale with the AFM.

The Italian Military Mission in Malta sent a helicopter to assist in the search, which was fruitless, AFM Brigadier General Carmel Vassallo, also attending the press briefing, explained.

He added that by around noon yesterday it was determined there was no further scope in continuing with the search, which had covered the possible area where more survivors might be found. With waters in the area yesterday being dead calm, the potential drift area was very limited.

Late last night, the AFM was involved in another operation to bring to shore more irregular immigrants who were located to the south of Malta.