The Emigrants Commission Refugees’ Section yesterday criticised the decision to detain the 21-year-old Ivorian who was fished out at sea suffering from hypothermia and exhaustion, and called for his immediate release.

The commission said that one takes into consideration the ordeal that the man went through, being the sole survivor of an accident when the boat on which he was travelling with another 27 people capsized. Therefore he must be considered as a vulnerable person and be taken out of detention immediately.

There have already been similar cases where people who had almost drowned have been detained amidst protests. The commission hopes that this time round things work out differently.

The commission asked for the youth to be treated as other persons considered vulnerable, such as pregnant women, unaccompanied minors, and women with children, and be taken to a Government institution. The commission said it would be glad to house the youth in the case of no accommodation being found.

Meanwhile, European Commission Deputy President Franco Frattini announced that more patrols are to take place in Maltese waters. He said that patrolling operations in Maltese waters should begin soon after those between Africa and the Canary Islands draw to a close.

He added that the EU is seeking Libya’s help in the mission, which will be guided by Frontex. Mr Frattini claimed that “EU experts will head to the Libyan Desert bordering with Niger to assist Libya in stemming the flow of illegal immigrants.”