Migrant boats stranded at sea for weeks land in Malta

VALLETTA, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- A total of 49 migrants who had been stranded for three weeks at sea disembarked in Malta on Wednesday.

The migrants were brought to Malta by the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) after they were transferred at sea from the two NGO-operated vessels.

The Sea-Watch 3 with 32 migrants on board were rescued on Dec. 22, while the Prof Albrecht Penck carrying 17 migrants were rescued a week later.

The migrants included two young children, a baby and three minor children who were unaccompanied by adults.

After landing, the two vessels involved were instructed to depart from Malta's territorial waters.