VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) said it did not receive a distress call from a migrant vessel that was allegedly attacked by Libyan coast guard forces in the Maltese search and rescue zone. The AFM said it carried out immediate checks via aerial surveillance and diverted some naval units after receiving information about a vessel in international waters. The fishing vessel was subsequently intercepted near the Italian coast. The AFM added that it “does not have sufficient information to confirm or deny the alleged shooting incident.”
The version contrasts with that of Alarm Phone, which reported it received distress calls around 1:30 PM on Sunday from a vessel with over 100 people on board and that the Libyan coast guard had opened fire about 90 nautical miles southeast of Malta.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
