Police, soldiers injured in Malta migrants riot

VALLETTA (Reuters) – About 200 illegal immigrants rioted on
the Mediterranean island of Malta on Tuesday and injured three
policemen and two soldiers when security forces stopped them
marching on the prime minister’s office.

The group was intercepted at Paola, six miles from the
capital Valletta, by hundreds of policemen and soldiers, some
wearing riot gear, and pushed back to the detention center two
miles away at Safi near the international airport.

The injuries were caused mostly by stones thrown by the
migrants, protesting their detention. Four migrants were also
injured. None of the injuries were serious, police said.

Malta detains illegal migrants for up to 18 months to
discourage further landings and prevent distortion in its labor
sector.

Also on Tuesday, the Maltese armed forces said a patrol
boat had rescued 266 illegal immigrants whose launch was
stranded on a tuna net fishing line 110 km southeast of Malta.

The group, due to arrive in Malta early on Wednesday, will
be the biggest to arrive on the island this year.

The army said the migrants had initially refused assistance
and wanted to sail on to Sicily in Italy, but were persuaded to
board the Maltese patrol craft. Some were suffering
dehydration.