A group of 73 asylum seekers has been brought to Malta following a rescue operation by the Armed Forces of Malta in Maltese waters.

The AFM said in a statement that the migrants were picked up in two separate rescue operations this afternoon and that they will be brought over to Hay Wharf Base.

This rescue operation comes a few days after Malta agreed to take in 365 migrants who were aboard the NGO-run vessel Ocean Viking following a two-week standoff with Italy. After they are processed in Malta, the migrants will be relocated to other EU countries.

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