Valletta, Malta  - Maltese military vessels on Thursday brought to shore over 30 would-be immigrants, either rescued or intercepted in the Mediterranean island-nation's waters.

Among them were 27 Somali nationals intercepted in a boat near the fishing village of Marsaxlokk.

Others belonged to a group whose boat capsized on Wednesday night - an accident spotted by the crew of a Maltese tug-boat which raised the alarm.

During the overnight rescue operation, Maltese and Italian military helicopters transported four people injured in the shipwreck to Malta's hospital.

Hundreds of would-be immigrants from Africa have arrived in Malta in the last month.

This despite patrols by the European Union's joint border agency, Frontex, which monitors and tries to curb illegal sea-journeys in the Mediterranean.

Officials have expressed concern at an overcrowding crisis at detention centres for illegal immigrants in Malta. (dpa)