TWO refugees who died trying to reach Europe by sea could have been saved had the Maltese maritime authorities not delayed their rescue operation, activists said today.

Activist-run distress hotline organisation Alarm Phone first alerted the authorities on Monday to a boat carrying 25 people in Malta’s search-and-rescue (SAR) zone.

Alarm Phone said that evening that the people had left the Libyan city of Benghazi four days before. The survivors, the activists said, “reported a dramatic situation onboard, including the death of two minors.”

“The boat with 25 people on board is still adrift in Malta’s SAR,” an activist said on Tuesday afternoon.   

Malta’s armed forces said on Tuesday evening that they had rescued 23 people about 200 nautical miles from the shore. It also confirmed that two people had died but said they were men.

“We have learned that the 23 people were disembarked in Malta,” Alarm Phone said this morning.

“The two bodies of the deceased were brought to shore as well. Without delays in rescue, they could be alive today. We mourn the dead and continue to fight against borders.”