Valletta, Malta  - More would-be illegal immigrants were on Monday reported to be clutching on to a tuna pen off Malta, a day after efforts got under way to bring 84 others to safety.

Maltese army sources told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa that a rescue vessel has been sent out to save some 26 Africans who are clinging on to the nets 75 miles south of Malta.

On Sunday, 26 migrants were rescued in similar circumstances. There was still no sign Monday of the six men reported missing in the rough seas at the time.

A total of 110 immigrants landed in Malta in the space of 10 hours at the weekend, triggering alarm among the authorities, and especially the army, which is working round the clock.

A badly decomposed body, believed to be that of an African man, was removed from the sea south of Malta on Saturday, prompting fears that more fleeing Africans might have drowned. (dpa)