A total of 131 illegal immigrants, including 15 women and a young girl, arrived in Malta in five separate groups on Monday night and yesterday.

The first group of 26 illegal immigrants landed in Delimara at around 12.30am, while another 26 immigrants were rescued and taken to the Freeport in the afternoon.

The third group consisted of 24 immigrants, who landed in Marsascala at around 5pm.

The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) rescued 25 other immigrants from a boat which had encountered engine difficulties and was spotted approximately 5 nautical miles south of Malta. They were handed over to the police at 6.10pm.

Just before 7pm, an AFM helicopter assisted the police in the search of another 28 immigrants who had disembarked at Zonqor point.

All the immigrants were taken into police custody.