Five migrants have died after a boat that they were on capsized during a rescue effort by the Armed Forces of Malta off the island’s south coast.

Confirming what has been a developing story this afternoon, the AFM’s Deputy Commander Colonel Edric Zahra told the media during a briefing outside the army’s base at Haywharf that together with those who died, another eight are receiving medical care.

Zahra said that the AFM was made aware of the boat’s presence in Maltese waters after its operations centre received a telephone call at around 10:45am.

The boat was located around five nautical miles off the Zonqor coast, close to where a set of fish farms are situated, and was found by an AFM aircraft.

The boat was around 25 feet in length, was powered by two motors, and was populated by a large group of migrants.

Zahra said that upon confirmation of the boat’s location, a naval asset which was stationed in the area was sent to offer assistance – and it reached the boat’s location within a few minutes.

However, Zahra said, when the rescue began, the boat capsized, with the migrants being thrown into the water as a result.

29 were rescued, with 8 of them requiring medical care, but five died before being rescued and were lifeless when brought ashore.

21 out of those rescued have been taken to the migrants centre in Hal-Safi, Zahra said.

All of the 29 rescued were men, while one of the five who passed away was a woman, Zahra continued.  Initial investigations showed that those on the boat were from Syria, Egypt, Ghana, and Eritrea.

A representative from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) told journalists after the briefing that the boat had been at sea for three days after departing from Tripoli, Libya.

“There were no impacts.  As you know, these migrant boats are usually heavily loaded with people… the chances are that when people move from one place to another on it, then stability is lost.  So the reason as to why the boat capsized is because it became unstable,” Zahra said.

Zahra said that police investigations are ongoing and that duty magistrate Victor Axiak is leading an inquiry.  Zahra addressed the briefing as AFM Brigadier Clinton J O'Neill was abroad on work duty.

Meanwhile, the AFM's rescue efforts continued throughout Friday with naval and air assets in the area of the capsizing, and divers also operating in the sea to ensure that there is nobody else in distress.

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The aditus foundation said it is extremely saddened by the news of yet another tragedy at sea that resulted in several people dying. "We are further upset by Malta's treatment of the survivors. According to news sites that we are unable to confirm, 21 persons were taken to Malta's main detention centre," the statement said. 

We underline that anyone going through such a horrific experience requires immediate psychological support. The survivors came within inches of death whilst at the same time witnessing their friends and possibly loved ones drowning around them. No words can possibly describe the mental state they must be in.

We therefore strongly urge Malta to offer them all the psychological support they require, particularly to the most vulnerable. This support cannot be provided in detention, but requires a safe and caring space. This is an opportunity for Malta to do what is right. 

As always, we stand ready to provide our own services as soon as we are able to.

The government, for its part, expressed its sorrow following the death of the five migrants.