Valetta, Malta  - Maltese rescue vessels and helicopters resumed Monday a search for a fishing boat which failed to make its scheduled return to port in Malta three days ago.

Five people, including an 11-year-old boy, are believed to be on board the boat which sailed from Malta on July 7.

Maltese officials said the have contacted Tunisian and Libyan authorities asking them to provide any information they may have on the missing vessel. (dpa)