Around 450 people are in distress in Malta's Search and Rescue Zone, NGO Alarm Phone reported.

The boat is located to Malta's southeast.

The NGO said that it was alerted by a group that fled Libya on a fishing vessel that they are in distress.

The group in distress informed Alarm Phone that they are out of drinking water and food. "Authorities are informed," the NGO said.

Questions have been sent to the Home Affairs Ministry.