The Armed Forces of Malta have since 1994 rescued 13,781 people at sea.

Home Affairs and National Security Minister Carmelo Abela said in reply to a parliamentary question that 1,000 rescue operations were made since 1994.

The rescued people were 12,269 migrants, 186 mariners, 1,241 'other civilians' and 85 fishermen.

The question was put by Labour MP Anthony Agius Decelis.

The busiest year was 2013, when the AFM rescued 1,753 migrants, 97 'other civilians' and four fishermen.

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