Two African migrants died and two others are missing following a dramatic rescue off Malta on Wednesday, dpa quoted officials as saying. Around 60 others are expected in Malta on Wednesday night and some of them are reportedly in poor health and need urgent medical attention. The migrants were spotted by a merchant ship some 70 miles off the Mediterranean island. But, during the hazardous manoeuvre to transfer them to safety, two migrants fell into the sea and could not be recovered. A rescue helicopter later carried out a search in vain, according to Maltese rescue officials. A further two individuals had died during the voyage and their bodies were left aboard the dinghy, which is being towed by the ship. Hundreds of asylum seekers have reached Malta, all of whom have fled from neighbouring Libya. Malta has repeatedly requested help from the EU to tackle the problem of irregular migration from Africa.
