By Zakaria Hassan - Reporter
VALLETTA — Eighty-five migrants, including Somali nationals, were rescued from a distressed boat in the central Mediterranean during an early morning operation on Thursday, approximately 30 nautical miles off the coast of Malta.
The rescue was carried out within Italy's Search and Rescue (SAR) zone under the surveillance of drones operated by the European Union's border agency, Frontex.
Among those rescued were two women and up to 20 unaccompanied minors, according to information released following the operation. Most of the survivors are reported to be from Somalia, Bangladesh and Egypt.
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The migrants were transferred to safety, where they were expected to receive medical assistance and humanitarian support. Authorities have not disclosed the vessel's point of departure or its intended destination.
The operation underscores the continuing risks faced by migrants attempting the Mediterranean crossing, one of the world's deadliest migration routes. Every year, thousands attempt the journey in search of safety, economic opportunity or family reunification, while many others perish or go missing at sea.
For many Somalis, irregular migration is driven by a combination of insecurity, prolonged economic hardship, unemployment and the hope of finding better opportunities abroad.
Despite repeated warnings from international agencies, many continue to embark on dangerous journeys organised by human smuggling networks, often risking their lives in pursuit of a more secure future.