One dead and 11 rescued from capsized vessel in Malta SAR as operation underway
The stricken vessel was spotted capsized around 50 miles southeast of Lampedusa
At least one person has died, and 11 people have been rescued after a vessel capsized in Malta’s search and rescue zone.
A search and rescue operation coordinated by Maltese authorities is underway after the capsized vessel, believed to have been carrying around 30 people, overturned in Malta’s search and rescue zone.
The rescue operation began on Thursday night after the stricken vessel was spotted around 50 miles southeast of Lampedusa by an Italian coast guard aircraft, which immediately launched a life raft to assist those on board.
Maltese aircraft, Italian coast guard boats, Frontex aircraft and a merchant vessel are attending the scene, according to a statement issued by Italy’s Guardiacostiera coast guard organisation on Friday evening.
Patrol vessels from Malta and Italy are en route to the scene.
Government sources confirmed Malta’s involvement in the operation.
Four survivors were rescued by the merchant vessel before being transferred to an Italian coast guard vessel, which continued to rescue survivors and recovered a dead body from the water.
Survivors said there were around 30 people aboard the capsized vessel.
Questions have been sent to the Home Affairs Ministry.