Another 28 would-be illegal immigrants were rescued off Malta Friday, bringing up to 54 the number of asylum seekers landing on the tiny Mediterranean island in the space of 10 hours, according to dpa. The Maltese army maritime squadron rushed to the scene some three miles south of the island and brought the immigrants, all males, to shore after their boat started taking in water. Earlier Friday another group of 26 would-be illegal immigrants landed on the island. The group, which included five women, were remanded in custody. The number of asylum seekers landing in Malta this year has shot up, despite the deployment of European Union border patrols in the Mediterranean. Hundreds of people are estimated to die every year as they attempt to reach European shores from the North African coast onboard rickety boats.
