12 illegal immigrants on the run

The police are searching for 12 illegal immigrants who escaped from the immigration centre at Hal Far in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Fourteen illegal immigrants - six Bangladeshis, two Sudanese, a Libyan, Algerian, Tunisian, Palestinian, Iraqi and Syrian - escaped by cutting through the iron bars in the window of the room where they were staying, police said.

One was caught early yesterday morning in Birzebbuga and the other at lunchtime in Valletta.

The illegal immigrants were being detained at Hal Far until the necessary documents could be issued for them to be repatriated.

Duty magistrate Antonio Mizzi was informed and appointed several experts to assist him in an inquiry.