The Times of Malta said Saturday the crew of the Jules Verne was able to save 13 of the estimated 24 African immigrants who had been on the capsized boat, but the fate of the remaining immigrants was unknown.

Friday's maritime rescue came mere hours after members of Malta's Armed Forces rescued 28 other immigrants from a boat in distress 43 nautical miles off the country's coast. Many of those on board that craft were immediately taken to shore to receive medical attention for problems related to exposure.

The newspaper said an additional 25 African nationals also were rescued from a boat recently by the crew of a Russian cargo ship. Those immigrants, who were found 50 miles away from Malta, said they had been at sea for more than three weeks and that one passenger had died during their journey.