German rescue vessel takes 45 migrants aboard in Mediterranean

The crew of the Humanity 1 was alerted to the boat's position in the Maltese search and rescue zone by two fishing boats and an aircraft operated by fellow German rescue organisation Sea-Watch on Saturday evening, reported dpa.

The boat had run out of fuel and was not carrying any life jackets, according to SOS Humanity on Twitter.

A commercial vessel also secured the boat until all 45 people, including four unaccompanied minors, were aboard the Humanity 1, the organization said.

Private organizations regularly rescue migrants trying to reach Europe by boat in the Mediterranean. Many set off from war-torn Libya or the coast of Tunisia.

On Saturday, a vessel operated by SOS Méditerranée had taken 34 people on board who had been travelling in an unfit rubber dinghy, the organization said.