A group of 49 people, including a pregnant woman, have been rescued after they were stranded on rocks at Għar Lapsi in Siġġiewi.

Members of the Armed Forces of Malta gave assistance to the group of 39 men, four women and six children on Tuesday afternoon.

Police said the group arrived in the Għar Lapsi area at around 1.30pm and the AFM carried out a "delicate" operation in rough seas. 

They made it all the way to shore without assistance and were waiting for help on the rocky coastline.

Many were able to wave at onlookers 100 metres above them on the cliffside.

Army officers were seen rescuing the group two at a time onto a white AFM dinghy while waves hit the rocks. They were then transported to a patrol boat which transferred them to Boiler Wharf.

From there, the pregnant woman was transferred to Mater Dei Hospital while the migrants were handed over to the Immigration Police for investigations. 

Times of Malta did not see the vessel that disembarked the group but the people appeared to be dry. 

It is unusual for migrant boats to make it to shore, with most rescues taking place at sea.

The group are being rescued two at a time by army officers. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

However, in February, eight men were found walking on a road leading from Żurrieq to Għar Lapsi and it was thought they had made it to Malta after crossing the Mediterranean.

So far this year, 464 migrants have arrived in Malta after attempting to cross the Mediterranean sea from North Africa, according to the UNHCR.

Police and officials on site. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli