290 irregular migrants were brought to Malta on patrol boats last night after being intercepted on a boat that was drifting in Maltese territorial waters some 35 miles off the coast.

Seven of them needed treatment in hospital, the police said, and were airlifted to hospital while the rest of the immigrants were transferred onto patrol boats and brought to shore.

Three of the injured are reported to be suffering from gunshot wounds.

Fifty of them, including 22 women, were taken on board P23 and landed in Malta at 2am. Another 99 men were transferred on to the patrol boat P51 and arrived in Malta at 6am.

The rest, 134 immigrants including 19 women and four children, were embarked on the Guardia Costiera patrol boat, which also made it to Hay Wharf at 6am.

The immigrants were intercepted Wednesday at 2.30pm on a boat some 56 nautical miles off Malta.