Valletta, Malta - A group of 67 would-be immigrants arrived in Malta Thursday after their vessel was rescued in rough seas by a Russian bulk carrier the day before.

A woman in labour, and her four-year-old son, who had formed part of the group, had to be airlifted to Malta's hospital on Wednesday, the Maltese army said.

In the past other heavily pregnant African women have also been part of groups embarking on the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean Sea. These trips, often made on unseaworthy vessels, have sometimes had disastrous consequences.

Following the peak summer period, officials believe attempts to reach European shores from North Africa are trailing off as the northern hemisphere's winter approaches and the weather becomes more unpredictable.

However, the clandestine nature of these journeys makes them almost impossible to monitor by authorities. (dpa)