One Dead, 11 Rescued After Vessel Capsizes In Malta’s Search And Rescue Zone
At least one person has died and 11 people have been rescued after a vessel capsized in Malta’s search and rescue zone.
The vessel, believed to be carrying around 30 people, overturned on Thursday night roughly 50 miles southeast of Lampedusa as reported by Times of Malta.
The alarm was raised when an Italian coast guard aircraft spotted the stricken boat and immediately launched a life raft to assist those on board.
A joint rescue operation is now underway, with Maltese aircraft, Italian coast guard boats, Frontex planes, and a merchant vessel all involved. Patrol vessels from Malta and Italy are also en route. Government sources confirmed Malta’s active participation in the effort.
Four survivors were first rescued by the merchant vessel before being transferred to an Italian coast guard vessel, which continued the operation and recovered a dead body from the water. Survivors reported there were about 30 people on board when the vessel capsized.
The situation remains ongoing, with authorities working to locate and save anyone still in danger.
Photo credits to Guardia Costiera
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